Doctors reject imposition of professional tax

Express Tribune

2 days ago

Various medics associations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have rejected professional tax imposed on doctors by the provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
President of the Pakistan Doctors Council K-P chapter, Dr Majid, addressed a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club Wednesday alongside leaders from doctors' organizations, including Dr Janbaz Afridi of the Peoples Doctors Forum, Dr Adil of the Young Doctors Association, and Dr Wasim of the Allied Doctors.
Dr Majid strongly condemned the provincial government of PTI for imposing an oppressive professional tax on doctors. He said the Doctors Council categorically rejects this tax and has formed a three-member committee to negotiate with the government for its immediate withdrawal. He also demanded the cessation of ongoing actions related to this tax.
The council called on the government to immediately revoke letters issued by the Excise and Taxation Department directing deductions from doctors' salaries, particularly concerning finance directors and accountants of Medical Teaching Institutes (MTIs) in K-P.
He further demanded salary increases for all doctors in the province, including house officers, trainee medical officers, and medical officers, in keeping with the current inflation rate in the provincial budget.
He urged the Health Care Commission to immediately stop imposing heavy fines on doctors under the pretext of registration and to develop a proper, consultative procedure for such matters.
Highlighting ongoing harassment of doctors over drug sales licenses, Majid demanded a halt to these practices and urged the government to implement court rulings favoring doctors in this regard.
The president criticized the Public Service Commission (PSC) for not advertising any job vacancies since 2017, calling it a grave injustice to aspiring medical professionals. He demanded that job postings resume immediately to recruit new doctors.