Doctors Across Pakistan Strike Against FBR's POS Policy and Harassment
The Pakistan Medical Association has called a two-day shutdown of OPD services and private clinics nationwide to protest FIRs, harassment, and the FBR's mandatory Point of Sale policy. Emergency departments remain open.
Doctors across Pakistan are observing a two-day strike starting today, suspending outpatient department (OPD) services at public and private hospitals and closing private clinics nationwide. The action, led by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), is a protest against what the association describes as harassment by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), including the filing of FIRs and the mandatory Point of Sale (POS) policy.
Emergency departments will remain fully operational throughout the strike, ensuring that patients requiring urgent medical care continue to receive treatment. The PMA has clarified that the suspension applies only to routine outpatient services and that emergency facilities will not be disrupted. The association has also urged doctors, healthcare institutions, and professional organizations to support the decision and help implement the shutdown effectively.
The strike follows a unanimous resolution adopted by doctors nationwide on October 29, supporting the central leadership's directive to shut down OPD services and private clinics. PMA Karachi President Dr Muhammad Ismail Memon and General Secretary Dr Shahid Ibrahim MAMSA, in a joint statement, emphasized the need to safeguard doctors' dignity, professional independence, and legitimate rights.
The PMA has highlighted four key concerns that prompted the protest, though the specifics were not detailed in the statement. The association maintains that the FBR's actions, including the POS policy, are causing undue pressure on the medical community. The strike is being observed across the country, including in Karachi, where PMA Karachi confirmed that OPD services and private clinics are closed today.
The FBR's POS policy requires businesses, including medical practices, to install point-of-sale machines to track sales and ensure tax compliance. Doctors have resisted the move, arguing that it adds to their administrative burden and infringes on their professional autonomy. The PMA has called for the protection of doctors' rights and an end to what it perceives as harassment.
Patients seeking non-urgent medical attention may face delays during the two-day strike, but emergency care remains unaffected. The PMA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that critical services continue without interruption. The association has also appealed to the government to address their concerns and resolve the issue through dialogue.
