Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in HIV cases, with an average of 1,079 new infections reported each month in 2024. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 9,713 people tested positive for HIV in the first nine months of the year, and the total is expected to exceed 12,950 if the trend continues. This marks a troubling increase compared to the 12,731 cases reported in all of 2023, underscoring the urgency of addressing the worsening epidemic.
Official data reveals that men account for 69.4% of new cases, women 20.5%, transgender persons 4.1%, and children 6%. Punjab recorded the highest number of infections, with 5,691 cases between January and September, averaging 632 new cases per month. Sindh followed with 2,383 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) reported 926, 329, 378, and 10 cases, respectively.
Experts attribute the rising numbers to the spillover of infections from high-risk groups—such as men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender persons, injectable drug users (IDUs), and female sex workers—into the general population. Factors like unsafe sexual practices, poor Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in healthcare facilities, low awareness, and stigma are exacerbating the spread.
A growing concern is the practice of “chemsex,” involving the use of drugs like methamphetamine during sexual encounters, particularly among MSM, transgender individuals, and sex workers. This behavior increases the risk of unprotected sex and accelerates the spread of HIV.
“Despite ongoing efforts, the HIV epidemic is intensifying in Pakistan, demanding innovative and sustainable interventions,” said Trouble Chikoko, UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan. Chikoko emphasized the critical role of religious leaders in raising awareness and reducing stigma, calling for stronger collaboration with UN agencies and community partners.
The Common Management Unit (CMU) for HIV, TB, and Malaria has established 94 Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centers nationwide, launched awareness campaigns, and organized advocacy efforts. However, stigma remains a significant barrier to testing and treatment, particularly among high-risk populations.
Methamphetamine use during chemsex, in particular, has been identified as a hidden but rapidly spreading issue. Experts warn that without targeted harm-reduction interventions, this practice will continue to fuel new infections.
The provincial data highlights the need for localized responses. Punjab, with the highest burden, must intensify awareness campaigns, especially in urban areas. Sindh has made slight progress, but Karachi and Hyderabad remain areas of concern. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s reduction in new cases, from 611 in 2023 to 378 in 2024, offers a model for replication nationwide.
Public health experts urge the government to scale up preventive measures, including access to condoms, clean needles, and harm-reduction programs while addressing stigma and societal barriers to care. With over 1,000 new cases reported monthly, Pakistan is edging closer to a generalized HIV epidemic, demanding immediate and comprehensive public health action.