ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Health authorities in Pakistan have reported a concerning rise in HIV cases in both Karachi and Islamabad, with children and young men among the most affected groups, according to official data and hospital records.
In Karachi, several major hospitals have recorded a sharp increase in paediatric HIV infections over the past year, with dozens of children testing positive. At the Indus Hospital alone, dozens of cases have been reported in recent months, highlighting a growing public health concern.
“There has been an alarming surge in paediatrics cases registered at our hospital. Since August 2025 till date, 72 children less than 14 years of age have been registered of which 68 per cent are under five years of age,” said Dr Samreen Sarfaraz.
Medical experts say most of these infections are linked to unsafe healthcare practices rather than mother-to-child transmission.
“We know that reuse of syringes, needles, intravenous drip sets and cannulas, use of contaminated or improperly sterilised medical instruments and transfusion of unscreened blood, are major causes of HIV transmission in the healthcare settings.”
Islamabad
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, at least 618 new HIV cases were reported between January 2025 and March 2026, according to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
Officials said 498 cases were recorded in 2025, followed by 120 cases in the first three months of 2026, indicating sustained transmission in the federal capital.
A ministry official noted “consistent detection of new HIV cases every month in Islamabad, with periodic spikes indicating ongoing transmission within urban networks.”
Data shows that adult males account for the majority of infections, followed by women and transgender persons, while children represent a smaller proportion of cases.
Health experts have called for stronger infection control measures, improved awareness and stricter regulation to curb the spread of HIV across the country.
