By Muhammad Rehan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An important meeting of doctors serving in private clinics in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Doctors Association leader Dr. Rizwan Rajput at the auditorium of DHQ Teaching Hospital Dera, where a large number of private sector doctors participated.
The meeting discussed in detail the implementation of a 2 percent additional tax on patients by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) and the installation of POS machines in clinics on the instructions of the FBR.
Participants were informed that despite a stay order obtained from the Peshawar High Court Bench Dera, doctors are still being issued repeated notices regarding the matter.
Doctors stated that enforcing the POS system in a backward region like Dera Ismail Khan is unfair due to serious electricity, internet and infrastructure problems, adding that the additional financial burden would directly affect patients.
The meeting also expressed concern that the POS system was postponed in Punjab on the request of doctors, while attempts are being made to enforce it in DI Khan.
The participants unanimously decided to establish the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Doctors Council Dera Chapter and continue public awareness campaigns, press conferences and legal action.
The meeting demanded immediate withdrawal of the 2 percent tax imposed on patients and postponement of mandatory POS machine installation, warning that otherwise a strong protest, including closure of government and private hospitals and clinics across the district, would be launched.
