Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that 84,000 people living with AIDS are registered in Pakistan, and medicines are reaching 61,000 of the registered patients.
During a session of the National Assembly, a calling attention notice was presented regarding the increase in HIV/AIDS cases among children in the country. The notice was presented by Zehra Wadood Fatemi.
Responding to the notice, Mustafa Kamal said that the government is giving full attention to the matter. He stated that two reports regarding cases in Taunsa and Islamabad had emerged, and the Prime Minister had formed a committee.
He said that AIDS is not an incurable disease but a treatable one, and that people can live a normal life after taking medication. He added that AIDS spreads through the misuse of syringes and that greater public awareness is needed. During the fiscal year 2025–26, 372,000 people were screened.
The minister said that the government is working with the provinces to prevent AIDS. He added that monitoring quack doctors and hospitals is the responsibility of provincial governments. Regarding the number of people contracting AIDS through drug use at night parties, he said that he would provide the details to the member.
He further stated that AIDS is not spreading solely due to the misuse of syringes. To prevent the disease from being brought into the country from abroad, people are now also being screened at airports. He added that many people do not have screening stamps on their passports.
Mustafa Kamal said that there are 618 AIDS cases in Islamabad, of which 408 patients are not residents of the city. Among the 210 affected residents of Islamabad, no children are included. He stated that these individuals contracted AIDS due to social problems and that work is underway on a new law.
