Islamabad: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) implementation of a Point of Sale (POS) system for clinics, arguing that the policy places undue pressure on doctors and threatens patient privacy. PIMA claims that the initiative will lead to increased medical costs and fully supports the Pakistan Medical Association's demands against the system.

According to Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, PIMA Central President Prof. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui stated that healthcare services should not be equated with retail businesses, emphasizing the unique nature of medical care compared to fixed commodity sales in retail outlets. He argued that applying a POS system to medical consultations is inappropriate given the sensitive and individualized nature of healthcare services.

Prof. Siddiqui highlighted that doctors are already significant taxpayers in Pakistan, whether employed in public or private hospitals or practicing privately. He acknowledged the importance of tax compliance but criticized the abrupt implementation of such policies, specifically targeting the healthcare profession. He warned that coercive policies would increase the financial burden on the public, making medical treatment more expensive.

The PIMA president condemned excessive bureaucratic interference and harassment of doctors, noting that private clinics are already regulated by several bodies, including the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). He questioned the necessity of imposing an additional non-medical regulatory body on the healthcare sector, suggesting it unduly pressures a law-abiding professional community.

Prof. Siddiqui also expressed concerns about patient privacy, asserting that the doctor-patient relationship relies on confidentiality. He warned that the POS system's real-time invoicing could compromise patient data, raising issues about the accessibility of sensitive information by non-medical government officials. He called for the FBR to cease raids on clinics and hospitals and to end the harassment of healthcare professionals.