KARACHI: Secretary General of the Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, has strongly criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) over a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) dated February 18, 2026, proposing the integration of private clinics and hospitals into the Point of Sale (POS) system, terming it a violation of prior assurances and a breach of trust.
In a press statement, Dr. Shoro said the PMA categorically rejects the move, arguing that equating life-saving medical care with commercial trade is unacceptable. He stated that doctors are service providers, not traders, and clinics are healthcare facilities, not retail outlets. He maintained that the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship must not be compromised by policies designed for commercial sectors.
He further stated that if the government intends to implement POS integration in the name of transparency, the same policy should be applied uniformly across all other service sectors. Singling out the medical profession, he said, is discriminatory and reflects a lack of understanding of the healthcare sector’s unique role in society.
Dr. Shoro pointed out that the SRO contradicts categorical assurances previously given by the Federal Finance Minister and the FBR Chairman that healthcare facilities would remain exempt from POS requirements. He said any prior cooperation extended by the PMA in revenue documentation was undertaken in good faith based on those guarantees, and the recent development amounts to a sudden reversal of commitments.
Expressing concern over the state of the country’s primary healthcare system, he warned that imposing stringent tax documentation requirements on small clinics could adversely affect their operational viability and place additional burdens on already strained healthcare providers. He also noted that more than 3,000 doctors left Pakistan in 2025 alone, adding that hostile policies could further accelerate the brain drain.
Following an emergency meeting presided over by Dr. Izhar Chodhary, the PMA Central Council authorized a series of actions, including a demand for the FBR to immediately halt monitoring activities and the imposition of Section 175C against medical practitioners. Dr. Shoro warned that if the FBR persists, the PMA will revoke all focal persons coordinating with tax authorities and terminate collaborative revenue facilitation efforts nationwide.
The association has also directed its provincial chapters to remain united and advised members to refrain from engaging with tax officials until further instructions are issued.
