PESHAWAR: The Doctors Association in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has announced the closure of all private clinics across the province in protest against taxes imposed on the medical fraternity by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), ARY News reported.
Representatives of the association said all medical services at private hospitals, including physical examinations and diagnostic consultations, will remain suspended today.
Various doctors’ associations have jointly urged the federal government to immediately withdraw the newly levied taxes.
The KP Doctors Association has specifically demanded that the FBR bring the sales tax rate on private medical services in KP in line with those applicable in other provinces.
The medical community has also urged the provincial government to align its Health Care Commission regulations and Drug Rules with the model implemented by the Punjab government.
Doctors have further demanded a reduction in licensing and Health Care Commission registration fees.
Earlier, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) announced a nationwide strike to protest what it described as harassment and aggressive tax policies enforced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The PMA directed all member doctors to shut down medical centres and private clinics across the country today.
The association also rejected the mandatory integration of Point of Sale (POS) systems at private hospitals and clinics.
PMA Central General Secretary Dr. Abdul Ghafoor said classifying healthcare services as retail sales is completely unacceptable. He said the medical community across the country is protesting against FBR raids, steep fines and systemic harassment.
Dr. Ghafoor warned that if their demands are not met, the association will suspend medical services indefinitely.
He urged the FBR to immediately withdraw the POS requirement for private healthcare facilities, halt