Pakistan Medical Association calls strike on 30th against FBR policies

Dawn reported that the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) will call a countrywide shutdown of medical facilities on Sept 30, with private healthcare providers across Pakistan expected to take part. The protest targets Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) policies, which the association says treat medical care as a commercial sale. Under the plan, all medical establishments in every province have been told to close fully on that day after leadership meetings reached agreement.

The PMA objects to the FBR reclassifying healthcare services as retail sales and to the compulsory introduction of Point of Sale systems in private hospitals. Its secretary general, Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, argued that doctors serve patients rather than sell goods, and noted that private hospitals handle more than 70 per cent of national healthcare needs while already paying regular income tax. He also cited heavy fines, raids on hospital premises and ongoing harassment by tax officials.

Dr Shoro warned that, unless the FBR and government halt these actions, medical providers would be forced to stop all services nationwide indefinitely. The association has demanded that the POS requirement be withdrawn, fines be scrapped, raids end and the role of medical professionals be respected.