KARACHI: Patients across Pakistan could face disruption to routine medical care on November 1 and 2 as the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has announced a two-day nationwide strike, calling for the suspension of outpatient departments (OPDs), elective surgeries and routine diagnostic services at public and private healthcare facilities.
The action marks an escalation in the medical community’s campaign over disputed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) taxation measures, alleged police harassment of doctors, the registration of criminal cases following medical complications and concerns about workplace security and professional dignity.
According to a statement issued by the PMA Central Secretariat, emergency services at government hospitals will remain operational to ensure that patients requiring urgent medical attention continue to receive care. However, routine consultations, scheduled procedures and diagnostic testing are expected to be affected during the two-day protest.
The association has urged government authorities to address doctors’ concerns, arguing that a safe and secure working environment, protection from violence and respect for professional and legal rights are essential for the delivery of healthcare.
What patients can expect during the two-day strike
The announced suspension covers outpatient departments, elective surgeries and diagnostic testing facilities across the country. Patients with routine appointments, planned investigations or non-urgent procedures may therefore need to contact their respective hospitals and clinics to confirm arrangements before travelling.
The PMA has specifically stated that emergency services at government hospitals will continue operating. The distinction is important for patients who require urgent medical attention, although the availability of individual services may depend on the arrangements made by healthcare facilities.
The association’s announcement covers both public and private medical facilities. Its position is that the protest should be observed nationwide, while the level of participation at individual institutions will determine the extent of disruption.
PMA raises concerns over police action, criminal cases against doctors
The PMA says the protest is intended to defend the professional dignity, safety and legal rights of doctors amid what it describes as increasing workplace violence and arbitrary police action against medical professionals.
One of its principal demands is an immediate end to the alleged harassment of doctors by law-enforcement personnel. The association has also called for an end to the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against doctors without proper medical board assessment and due legal process.
The issue has become a prominent concern for medical representatives following cases in which doctors have faced criminal proceedings after adverse medical outcomes. The PMA argues that allegations involving medical negligence or complications should be examined through appropriate professional and legal mechanisms rather than automatically resulting in criminal action against treating doctors.
At a press conference at PMA House Karachi on October 29, representatives of several medical organisations also raised objections to the registration of criminal FIRs against doctors in cases involving alleged medical negligence.
PMA Centre President Dr Izhar Ahmed Chaudhary described the working environment faced by doctors as increasingly hostile, expressing concern over police raids, arrests and public violence against healthcare professionals.
PMA Centre Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said doctors were facing criminal proceedings, including cases registered under Sections 302 and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, following medical complications and deaths. He argued that such cases should not proceed without an assessment by a certified and independent medical board.
The medical leaders called for an end to direct registration of FIRs against doctors and urged parliament to enact the Healthcare Professionals Protection Act. They also demanded institutional, legal and physical security arrangements across healthcare facilities.
The October 29 meeting was attended by representatives of the Pakistan Medical Association, Young Doctors Association, Private Hospital and Clinics Association of Pakistan, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, reflecting support for the concerns beyond the PMA alone.
FBR taxation, mandatory POS integration among key grievances
Taxation remains another major point of contention between the medical community and the federal government.
The PMA has called for a fair resolution of taxation issues involving the FBR and medical professionals, objecting to the application of Point of Sale (POS) requirements and what doctors describe as the treatment of medical consultations and clinical services through retail-style tax mechanisms.
The dispute centres on the association’s position that healthcare services should not be treated in the same manner as conventional retail transactions. Doctors have also raised concerns about the implementation of tax-related measures at private clinics and medical facilities.
At the October 29 press conference, Dr Izhar Ahmed Chaudhary criticised the FBR’s drive to impose POS systems on private clinics and medical consultations, arguing that the approach could create an environment of intimidation for healthcare providers.
Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro also warned that additional administrative and compliance burdens could increase the cost of providing healthcare, with possible implications for patients already facing financial pressures.
The PMA has called for engagement between the government, the FBR and medical representatives to resolve the dispute through consultation and a fair taxation framework.
Workplace security, implementation of protection laws
Beyond taxation and police action, the PMA has demanded effective implementation of healthcare protection laws across the country.
The association says doctors and other medical personnel must be protected from violence at their workplaces and that hospitals and healthcare facilities require stronger security arrangements.
The demand follows wider concerns raised by medical organisations about the safety of healthcare professionals, particularly those working in high-pressure clinical environments.
The PMA maintains that doctors should be able to perform their duties without fear of violence, intimidation or arbitrary legal action. It has urged authorities to recognise that professional safety and legal protection are essential to maintaining the delivery of healthcare services.
YDA Sindh announces full support, calls for unity
The PMA’s protest has received explicit backing from the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Sindh, which has called on medical organisations and healthcare professionals to stand together over what it describes as collective concerns affecting the entire medical fraternity.
In a press statement dated October 31, YDA Sindh announced its full support for the PMA’s demands, including objections to FBR taxation policies, mandatory POS integration, alleged harassment of private medical practitioners, security concerns and the protection of doctors’ dignity.
The statement said YDA Sindh, including its central leadership and representatives from Karachi Division, the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), had participated in a protest demonstration and joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club in solidarity with the PMA.
Dr Mehboob Ali Noonari, identified in the statement as YDA Central Chairman, was among the leadership associated with the organisation’s participation.
YDA Sindh said the issues raised by the PMA were not exclusive to one association but concerned the wider medical community, including senior consultants, private practitioners, postgraduate trainees, house officers and young doctors.
It called for meaningful consultation with representative medical organisations before policies affecting professional independence, patient confidentiality and healthcare services are introduced.
The association also urged the federal government and the FBR to address the medical community’s concerns, withdraw measures it considers unjustified and engage in constructive dialogue with doctors’ representatives.
Calling for collective action on November 1 and 2 across Sindh and the country, YDA Sindh said divisions within the medical community would weaken its ability to defend legitimate professional rights.
PMA Punjab backs nationwide clinic, hospital shutdown
PMA Punjab has also expressed support to the strike call by PMA Centre. According to a circular issued by the PMA Punjab, clinics and hospitals would be closed on November 1 and 2 in protest against FBR policies affecting the doctors’ community.
Dr Umair Ikram, General Secretary of PMA Gujranwala, urged members to demonstrate unity and solidarity, referring to their participation in the earlier protest on September 30.
The support from YDA Sindh and PMA Punjab adds to the nationwide mobilisation around the PMA’s call, with doctors’ organisations seeking a collective response to taxation, security and professional concerns.
Gujrat convention laid groundwork for November action
The latest strike follows weeks of protests and consultations among medical organisations over taxation and regulatory measures affecting healthcare providers.
On September 30, the PMA called a nationwide shutdown of private outpatient departments, hospital consultations and routine diagnostic services to protest FBR policies, including the mandatory POS system and the treatment of medical services as retail transactions.
The association subsequently announced an All-Pakistan Doctors’ Convention in Gujrat on October 11 to discuss its next course of action.
Around 500 senior medical professionals, provincial representatives and healthcare leaders attended the convention, where participating organisations adopted resolutions concerning FBR taxation, healthcare regulation, doctors’ professional dignity and the rights of young practitioners.
The participating alliance included PMA Centre and its provincial branches, YDA, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Private Hospital Association (PHA) and Pakistan Dental Association (PDA).
The convention opposed what the PMA described as selective implementation of POS requirements for medical practitioners and called for uniform taxation across professional services, a review of relevant FBR notifications and consultation with medical representatives.
It also raised concerns over penalties imposed by the Punjab Healthcare Commission during initial licensing inspections. The PMA called for first-time inspections to prioritise guidance, professional support and capacity-building under the Minimum Service Delivery Standards rather than immediate financial penalties.
Another resolution criticised the alleged harassment of doctors during publicised hospital visits by administrative officials, including the recording and circulation of videos on social media. The medical representatives argued that shortages of beds, medicines and clinical staff should be addressed as systemic healthcare issues rather than automatically attributed to individual doctors.
The convention also expressed solidarity with young doctors over alleged retaliatory dismissals, cancellation of training and revocation of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council registrations. The participating bodies called for the reinstatement of affected doctors, restoration of contracts and residency positions.
Those identified as addressing the Gujrat gathering included Dr Izhar Ahmed Chaudhary, President, PMA Centre; Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General, PMA Centre; Dr Kamran, President, PMA Punjab; Dr Dayali Gul, President-Elect, PMA Sindh; Dr Ismail Memon, President, PMA Karachi; Dr Muhammad Shoab Niazi, President, YDA Punjab; Dr Mehboob Noonari, Chairman, YDA Sindh; Dr Maqsood Zahid, President-Elect, PMA Punjab; Dr Zarak Baloch, General Secretary, PMA Balochistan; Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Burni, President, PIMA North; Prof. Dr Masood Hiraj, President, PMA Multan; Dr Salman Haseeb, Patron-in-Chief, YDA Punjab; Dr Mian Tariq Mehmood of the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians; and Dr Col. Ghulam Shabeer.
Following the convention, PMA Centre Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro wrote to the prime minister seeking intervention and dialogue to resolve the outstanding concerns before the November 1 deadline.
Balochistan doctors also announce support
The protest has also received support in Balochistan. The PMA Balochistan announced backing for a province-wide doctors’ strike beginning November 1 over what it described as unjust taxation by the FBR and Balochistan Revenue Authority.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting of doctors’ organisations chaired by PMA General Secretary Dr Zarak Muhammad Shahi.
The meeting discussed the planned strike as well as other concerns relating to the provincial health department.
PMA to decide next course of action on November 28
The PMA has urged government authorities and other stakeholders to address its demands promptly, warning that unresolved concerns over taxation, security and the treatment of doctors could further strain relations between the medical community and the authorities.
At the October 29 press conference, medical representatives said the next course of action would be considered at the PMA Central Council meeting scheduled for November 28.
For patients, the immediate concern is access to routine healthcare during the November 1–2 protest. Those with scheduled consultations, elective procedures or diagnostic appointments should contact their respective hospitals or clinics to confirm service arrangements, while patients requiring urgent medical attention should seek emergency care.
The dispute now extends beyond a disagreement over tax compliance. It involves questions about how healthcare services are regulated, how allegations of medical negligence are investigated, how doctors are protected from violence and how professional concerns are addressed without disrupting patient care.
The challenge for the government and medical organisations will be to find a resolution that addresses legitimate professional and regulatory concerns while protecting patients’ access to essential healthcare.
Stay connected with Medical News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW Medical News Pakistan on WhatsApp for verified healthcare developments, medicine safety alerts, medical innovations, clinical research updates and important healthcare policy decisions affecting doctors, hospitals and patients across Pakistan.