Pakistan is on track to record its highest number of newly detected HIV cases in a single year, with more than 10,000 infections confirmed in the first nine months of 2025, officials revealed on Wednesday.
Health ministry officials warned that the total could exceed 14,000 by year’s end, surpassing last year’s 13,001 reported cases. They said the sharp rise was driven by incidental detections during medical screenings for surgeries, emergency procedures, and visa applications — making 2025 the fastest year of HIV escalation in the country’s history.
Experts said Pakistan still lacks laws mandating HIV testing for high-risk groups, deported migrants, or sex workers, leaving thousands undiagnosed and untreated. Recent outbreaks in Mirpurkhas and Taunsa, where children contracted HIV through syringe reuse, highlight how the virus is spreading beyond traditional risk groups into families.
The steepest rise is being seen among men who have sex with men, driven by drug-assisted sexual activity, while returning migrant workers also remain a major infection source.
Officials estimate around 370,000 people are living with HIV in Pakistan, though only about 55,000 are receiving treatment. Health experts warn that without urgent reforms in screening and prevention, the epidemic could expand silently across the country.
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