The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, took strong notice of the rising trend of HIV/AIDS cases in Pakistan. The Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the country’s HIV situation, terming the issue “urgent, sensitive and requiring coordinated national action.” The Ministry informed the Committee that an estimated 369,000 people were living with HIV in Pakistan, while only 84,000 cases were currently registered, highlighting a significant detection gap. In 2025 alone, 14,000 new cases were reported. While screening capacity had expanded dramatically from 37,000 tests in 2020 to over 374,000 in 2025 members expressed concern that increased detection must not be mistaken for control.

In a critical revelation, the Committee was informed that out of 84,000 registered cases, nearly 20,000 patients who initiated treatment at ART centres were now “missing,” raising serious concerns about follow-up, counselling and patient retention. The Ministry stated that a comprehensive master plan was being developed to address these gaps. The Committee noted that Pakistan’s HIV prevalence stood at 0.2% compared to the global average of 0.5%, yet localized outbreaks such as in Taunsa, Kot Momin and parts of South Punjab point to serious failures in infection prevention and control (IPC), unsafe medical practices and weak enforcement. Highlighting a major cause of transmission, the Ministry informed that the Walika outbreak in Karachi was linked to the use of 10cc syringes, which were not previously banned. It was stated that all reusable syringes, including 10cc variants, would be phased out and brought under strict regulatory control.

Members raised alarm over the continued availability of banned syringes in the market despite regulatory prohibitions since 2021, weak monitoring of blood banks and transfusion camps, lack of sustained public awareness campaigns, persistent stigma discouraging testing and treatment and the growing number of “missing patients” who drop out after initial diagnosis. The Committee also took note of cross-border health risks, observing that individuals deported from other countries often remained unchecked, as host countries avoid reporting such cases to protect their image. The Ministry informed that a mechanism was being developed to ensure screening through exit-entry data integration so that individuals were tested and monitored before re-entry.

The Ministry maintained that expanded screening reflected program progress, but the Committee stressed that “the real success lies in reducing new infections, not merely identifying them.” Members further highlighted that lack of sustained awareness campaigns was creating misconceptions, undermining ongoing efforts to control the disease. The Minister informed the Committee that, for the first time, the government had openly discussed the issue and held press briefings to counter misinformation and ensure transparency. The Committee called for immediate rollout of auto-disable syringes, including 10cc variants, strengthened enforcement against unsafe medical practices, nationwide awareness campaigns to eliminate stigma, detailed district-wise data on HIV cases and outbreak investigations and a clear, time-bound national action plan to contain the spread.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Shaista Khan, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Ms. Aliya Kamran, Dr. Darshan, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury, Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar and Ms. Farukh Khan. The Minister for National Health, senior officials from the Ministry of NHSR&C and its attached departments also participated in the meeting.
“Silence fuels stigma - transparency saves lives.”