Doctors Fees to be Made Public

On Monday, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control approved the Islamabad Consumers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, aims to increase transparency by mandating the public disclosure of doctors' fees and related expenses. Zehri emphasized the importance of empowering patients with clear information regarding their healthcare costs, highlighting that the proposed changes would enhance overall transparency and safeguard consumers' interests.

However, Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry argued that the issue was under the purview of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) and opposed the bill. A representative from the Ministry of Law also objected, suggesting that IHRA officials should be consulted to clarify the regulator's stance. Zehri criticized the ongoing opposition to her proposal, alluding to the recent PIMS incident.

Chaudhry maintained that the matter was primarily a healthcare issue and should be addressed by the relevant parliamentary committee. He cautioned that enacting legislation on technical health matters without adequate expertise could lead to implementation challenges. Committee Chairman Faisal Saleem Rehman stressed the need for lawmakers to effectively legislate and that government institutions should collaborate with parliamentary committees.