Karachi Police Chief Dr Amir Sheikh on Wednesday warned that strict action would be taken against officials who harass young couples and ask them to prove that they are married. In a letter written to the deputy inspector generals (DIGs) of three zones on October 9, Karachi range Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Amir Sheikh noted, “There is general complaint that policemen in mobiles and motorcycles harass and humiliate couples by asking them to show nikkahnama (marriage certificate) to prove their credentials as husband and wife.” “You are hereby directed to issue strict instructions to the subordinate staff not to demand marriage certificate from any person. In future, such complaints shall not be tolerated and action against supervising officers will also be initiated,” read the issued notification. The letter was written to South Zone DIG Javed Alam Odho, West Zone DIG Khadim Hussain Rindh and East Zone DIG Amir Faruqui. Separately, newly appointed police chief Dr Amir Ahmed Sheikh also ordered an immediate crackdown against shisha bars in the metropolis. AIG Sheikh directed all DIGs to shut down shisha bars as well as restaurants and hotels which serve shisha. He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) had imposed a ban on shisha bars in 2015. He further declared that shisha-smoking was harmful. Published in Daily Times, October 11th 2018.