ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to record its highest number of newly detected HIV cases in a single year, with over 10,000 infections confirmed in the first nine months of 2025, officials reported on Wednesday.
Health ministry officials warned that the total could surpass 14,000 by year’s end, exceeding last year’s 13,001 reported cases. The sharp rise is largely attributed to 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 highlighted the lack of laws mandating HIV testing for high-risk groups, including deported migrants and sex workers, leaving thousands undiagnosed and untreated. Recent outbreaks in Mirpurkhas and Taunsa, where children contracted HIV through syringe reuse, have shown that the virus is spreading beyond traditional risk groups into families.
The steepest rise is being seen among men who have sex with men, largely driven by drug-assisted sexual activity, while returning migrant workers also remain a significant source of infection.
Officials estimate that around 370,000 people are living with HIV in Pakistan, but only about 55,000 are receiving treatment. Health experts warn that without urgent reforms in screening and prevention, the epidemic could spread further across the country.
