KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Sunday warned of launching a nationwide protest movement if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) does not immediately withdraw the mandatory implementation of Point of Sale (POS) systems in hospitals and review the application of Section 175C, terming the measures “anti-doctor” and an act of administrative overreach.
The decision was taken during an emergency session of the PMA’s Central Council held at PMA House in Karachi, attended by provincial and central leadership. The council unanimously resolved to resist what it described as escalating hostilities by the FBR against the medical community.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the council expressed “zero tolerance” for what it called systematic harassment of doctors, particularly referring to recent actions in Punjab. The PMA alleged that intrusive inspections and coercive measures by tax officials were violating the privacy of medical facilities and interfering with patient care.
The association categorically rejected the mandatory imposition of POS systems in hospitals, arguing that medical practice cannot be equated with commercial retail activity. It maintained that the installation of such systems in emergency and life-saving environments was technically inappropriate and professionally unacceptable.
The council also criticized the application of Section 175C, stating that the provision empowers authorities to publicly penalize or “name and shame” professionals, which it termed a violation of professional dignity and the constitutional right to a fair trial.
The PMA demanded the immediate withdrawal of the POS requirement from hospitals in Punjab and called for a review of the enforcement approach. It stated that the medical community is among the highest tax-paying sectors and should not be subjected to what it described as redundant monitoring mechanisms while delivering essential healthcare services.
The association warned that failure to reverse the policies could result in the withdrawal of all focal persons currently coordinating with the FBR, effectively ending administrative cooperation. It further cautioned that the next phase of action could include nationwide protests and the possible suspension of elective services and private clinic operations.
“We will not allow the healthcare system to be paralyzed by bureaucratic overreach or the whims of an aggressive tax machinery. If the FBR does not cease its harassment immediately, the PMA reserves the right to exercise a future line of action, for which the authorities will be held solely responsible,” said Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre).
