Pakistan Healthcare Shutdown: All Private Hospitals and Clinics to Close on Sept. 30

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for a nationwide shutdown of all private hospitals and clinics on September 30, 2025, in protest against the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) enforcement of the Point-of-Sale (POS) system and legal proceedings under Section 175(C). The announcement, made in Lahore, means that private medical institutions across the country will remain closed on Wednesday, leaving millions of patients without access to routine and emergency care.

The PMA, which represents doctors and private healthcare providers, argues that the FBR's POS system imposes an excessive administrative and financial burden on medical establishments, and that Section 175(C) proceedings are being used coercively. The association has not yet specified whether emergency services will be exempted, but previous strikes have seen limited exemptions. The FBR has not issued a public response to the strike call.

The closure is likely to strain an already fragile healthcare system, forcing patients to seek treatment at overburdened public hospitals or delay care. It also escalates tensions between the medical community and the government over tax policy. The PMA has hinted at further protests if its demands are not met, and negotiations with the FBR are expected in the coming days. Global health observers are monitoring the situation for potential impacts on Pakistan's healthcare access and tax compliance efforts.