HIV Cases Spike: Pakistan Among Asia-Pacific’s Fastest-Growing
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the Senate about the increasing number of registered HIV patients in Pakistan and the government’s ongoing efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
He revealed that over 74,029 HIV-positive individuals are currently receiving treatment at approximately 100 centres nationwide, averaging around 750 patients per facility.
While acknowledging the expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres from 49 in 2020 to 94 in 2024, the minister emphasized the need for further expansion, enhanced screening, and proactive disease control measures.
He assured that the government, in collaboration with international partners, is working diligently to strengthen healthcare interventions and raise awareness about the disease.
Professor Ayesha Isani Majeed, head of the Radiology Department at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), highlighted Pakistan’s concerning status as the country with the second-fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region.
She attributed the rise to the transmission of the virus from high-risk groups—such as people who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers, and transgender individuals—to the general population through sexual networks.
She also pointed out the lack of focus on HIV prevalence in prisons, where inmates face higher risks due to unprotected sex, substance abuse, and needle-sharing.
Despite these vulnerabilities, she noted that past surveillance studies have largely excluded prisoners from research.
The Senate discussion underscored the urgency of addressing Pakistan’s growing HIV crisis while also stressing the importance of ensuring legal transparency in high-profile arrests.
Legal Review on Bappi’s Arrest
Meanwhile, in response to concerns about the arrest of Senator Aon Abbas Bappi, Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the senator was detained in a wildlife-related case.
He assured that legal verification was underway to determine the legitimacy of the arrest, emphasizing that due process must be followed, including presentation before a magistrate and adherence to bail procedures.
