Senate Passes Islamabad Bill Targeting Hidden Charges at Private Hospitals
The proposed amendment would bring private healthcare providers under the Islamabad Consumers Protection Act, require public fee schedules and itemised bills, and restrict advance deposits before emergency treatment. It still needs to complete the remaining legislative steps before it can take effect.
ISLAMABAD: The Senate has passed the Islamabad Consumers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a private member’s bill aimed at improving transparency in charges and billing practices at private hospitals, clinics and laboratories in the federal capital.
Moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the bill was approved by the Senate on Monday, October 26, by 10 votes to four, despite opposition from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control had earlier approved the bill unanimously.
Proposed Changes to Healthcare Billing
The proposed amendment would bring private healthcare providers within the scope of the Islamabad Consumers Protection Act, 1995. Its provisions target undisclosed charges, non-itemised bills and demands for advance deposits before emergency treatment. The bill would also require healthcare providers to display their fee schedules and provide patients with itemised bills.
Under the provisions described in the bill, patients would need to be informed of expected costs before non-emergency treatment begins. Healthcare providers would also be required to clearly display charges for consultations and services and separately list the costs of tests, medicines and procedures. Charges for services or items not provided to a patient would be prohibited.
Restrictions on Advance Deposits for Emergency Care
The emergency-treatment provision is intended to prevent patients from being denied urgent care because they cannot pay an advance deposit.
The proposed rules distinguish emergency treatment from deposits that may be sought after a patient’s condition has stabilised, subject to applicable regulations.
Greater Transparency and Consumer Protection
The bill aims to make private-sector healthcare billing more transparent and provide patients with a route to challenge practices considered unfair under consumer-protection law.
The Senate committee’s earlier review had also identified undisclosed fees, non-itemised billing and advance payment demands as issues the amendment was designed to address.
