LAHORE — The ongoing standoff between Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and medical practitioners is apparently heating up after the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) formally rejected the government’s decision to install Point of Sale (POS) machines at clinics where consultation fees amount to Rs 500 or more.
According to PMA representatives, the association challenged FBR’s directive, arguing that medical practice cannot be categorised under the business or sales sector. They maintain that healthcare services fall within the domain of professional practice, not commercial activity, and therefore should not be subjected to POS integration requirements designed for retailers.
Medical Association warned that implementing POS systems would increase operational costs for clinics, ultimately burdening patients who are already struggling with rising healthcare expenses. “If clinics are forced to adopt these machines, the additional financial load will inevitably be shifted to patients,” doctors said, stressing that many physicians already offer subsidized consultation rates.
The matter has now been escalated to the High Court, where it is being legally contested, while parallel discussions are underway at various federal executive forums. Stakeholders, including the Lahore Chamber of Commerce, are reportedly being consulted as part of efforts to seek reversal of the decision.
Officials said that the minutes of recent interdepartmental meetings have not yet been made public, leaving medical professionals and industry observers awaiting further clarity on the government’s final stance.
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