Pakistan has recorded over 84,000 registered HIV/AIDS patients, with officials warning of continued transmission risks while outlining nationwide treatment and awareness efforts.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal informed the National Assembly that 84,421 HIV/AIDS patients are currently registered in Pakistan.
These cases have been documented under the National AIDS Control Program, reflecting the country’s ongoing surveillance and response efforts.
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, the highest number of cases is in Punjab, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
Officials noted that the regional spread highlights the need for targeted interventions in densely populated areas.
The government is providing free antiretroviral therapy through 98 treatment centers nationwide.
These facilities aim to ensure accessible care for registered patients while controlling the spread of the virus.
Transmission risks and awareness efforts
Parliamentary Secretary Nelson Azeem highlighted that HIV transmission in Pakistan can occur through:
- Barber practices
- Dental procedures
- Other unsafe medical or hygiene-related practices
He added that awareness campaigns are ongoing, alongside laboratory monitoring systems to track and manage the disease.
The federal capital alone has 2,001 medical facilities, where proper medical waste disposal systems are in place.
Around 80% of hospitals have been directed to adopt integrated waste management systems to reduce infection risks.
Authorities have also established:
- A dedicated complaint portal and website
- 24 inspection teams conducting daily monitoring
These measures aim to improve compliance and healthcare safety standards.
Railways update: Freight growth and ML-1 expansion
In a separate briefing, Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Muhammad Usman Awaisi informed the House about improvements in Pakistan Railways.
- Freight operations are increasing after a decline in 2023 due to floods
- 538 out of 820 planned freight wagons have been deployed
- 60 out of 230 passenger coaches have been added
Pakistan Railways is also planning to extend ML-1 connectivity to Istanbul and resume the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train service by year-end.
Currently, railway stations do not support bank card payments due to limited telecom infrastructure, especially on ML-1.
However, digital payments are available through the RABTA app and mobile financial services, with improvements expected after the rollout of optical fiber internet under the Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network project.
Public works department closure explained
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that the Public Works Department (PWD) was officially closed in 2024 after consultations with provinces.
- Salaries and pensions remain unaffected
- Responsibilities shifted to Capital Development Authority and provincial bodies
- Staff were either transferred or offered voluntary separation packages
