Islamabad has recorded 84,000 HIV/AIDS cases across Pakistan, with around 61,000 patients currently undergoing treatment, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Addressing concerns raised by lawmaker Zahra Wadood Fatemi about a rise in HIV infections among children, Kamal emphasized ongoing efforts to introduce new laws aimed at controlling the virus. He also urged provincial authorities to intensify regulation of unlicensed medical practitioners and clinics.
During the 2025-26 period, health officials screened 372,000 people to detect new HIV cases. In a significant development, the government has started screening travelers at airports to track arrivals from abroad, noting that many lack the required screening stamps on their passports.
In Islamabad, there are 618 registered HIV cases, but 408 of these patients are from outside the capital. Among the 210 local HIV-positive residents, no children have been reported. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a special committee to investigate recent outbreaks in Taunsa and Islamabad.
Kamal attributed the virus’s spread mainly to syringe misuse and social issues such as drug use at private gatherings. He highlighted that AIDS is a manageable condition with proper medication, allowing patients to live normal lives. The minister stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the dangers of contaminated needles.
He concluded by stating that federal and provincial governments are working together on prevention strategies, while emphasizing that monitoring of local clinics remains the responsibility of provincial authorities.
