Pakistan’s HIV Crisis: Experts Warn of Rising Cases and Systemic Negligence

Public health experts are calling for the declaration of a national health emergency in Pakistan following a surge in HIV cases, with a particular and alarming increase among children. The crisis is being driven by systemic failures in healthcare delivery, including the reuse of medical syringes and inadequate blood screening protocols.

Official data compiled by federal and provincial HIV control authorities reveals that more than 2,108 children were registered as HIV positive between 2025 and the first three months of 2026. Sindh province has reported the highest number of pediatric infections, followed by Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Healthcare-Linked Infections and Systemic Negligence

The rise in pediatric cases has been linked to severe lapses in infection control. An investigation by the BBC, released in April 2026, captured a government hospital in Punjab reusing syringes, highlighting a pattern of unsafe medical practices that continue despite previous warnings.

In Karachi, infectious disease specialists report a burgeoning crisis as three major hospitals recorded a dramatic increase in pediatric HIV cases over a nine-month period. These cases are believed to be linked to the use of reusable syringes and other failures in hospital safety protocols.

Former Federal Minister for Health Dr. Zafar Mirza described the situation as deeply alarming and has urged the government to make the Taunsa inquiry report public to ensure accountability for the outbreaks.

The Scale of the Undiagnosed Epidemic

Beyond the pediatric crisis, health experts warn that the broader HIV epidemic in Pakistan is expanding beyond high-risk groups and into the general population. Current estimates suggest the total number of people living with HIV in the country has reached approximately 370,000.

A critical challenge in managing the outbreak is the high rate of undiagnosed infections. According to reporting by The News, nearly 79% of people living with HIV in Pakistan are unaware of their status, and many of those who are diagnosed are not receiving necessary treatment.

Government data reflects a widening gap in care. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated on April 29, 2026, that while there are 84,000 registered HIV/AIDS cases, 23,000 of those patients are currently untraceable and not receiving medical care. Currently, 61,000 registered patients are under treatment.

Controversy Over Data and Transparency

The Pakistani government has faced accusations of concealing the true extent of the crisis. In February 2026, a parliamentary panel expressed concern over incomplete and potentially misleading data regarding HIV prevalence, warning that flawed reporting could damage the country’s global credibility.

Discrepancies in reporting have also emerged between official counts and technical estimates. While officials reported over 10,000 new infections in the first nine months of 2025, some estimates shared with national planners and UNAIDS suggested the country could add as many as 48,000 new infections in 2025 if trends continued.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for urgent government intervention, stressing that the escalating crisis requires immediate action to prevent further loss of life, particularly among the most vulnerable pediatric populations.