Pakistan Medical Association calls strike on 30th against FBR policies

Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has announced it will stage a nationwide strike and halt medical services on September 30 in objection to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) policies. Private healthcare providers across Pakistan are set to join the protest. "The medical community strongly opposes the FBR's arbitrary categorization of healthcare services as retail sales and the compulsory implementation of Point of Sale (POS) systems in private hospitals," stated PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro.

"Healthcare providers are dedicated to treating patients, not selling products. Private hospitals, which currently fulfill over 70 percent of the nation's healthcare requirements, are already honoring their legal obligations by paying regular income tax." Dr Shoro added, "Despite their contributions, the private healthcare sector faces significant operational challenges due to heavy fines, aggressive raids on hospital premises, and ongoing harassment by tax authorities.

These aggressive measures have made operating medical institutions in Pakistan increasingly unfeasible." Dr Shoro emphasized that healthcare is a crucial public service, not retail trade. "The FBR and the government must immediately halt these hostile actions against healthcare providers. If these repeated acts of injustice and harassment continue, the medical community will be compelled to cease all healthcare services nationwide indefinitely," he warned.

After extensive meetings in all provinces, the PMA has reached a unanimous decision to implement the nationwide strike, with all medical facilities instructed to close completely on September 30. The PMA has demanded that the federal government and the FBR "revoke the POS requirement, remove fines, cease hospital raids, and acknowledge the vital role of medical professionals serving the nation."