HIV cases in Pakistan have climbed sharply over the past decade and a half, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates shared in parliamentary documents. An estimated 417,000 people are living with the virus, but only 67,878 are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) — medicine that helps control HIV and keep people healthier. The Ministry of National Health Services also told Parliament that 3,900 children were registered with HIV between January 2025 and June 2026.
Treatment registration and the care gap
WHO figures put people living with HIV at more than 417,000. Of those, only 92,148 have been registered with the relevant authorities. Among the registered group, 67,878 are on ART.
That leaves a large HIV treatment gap between estimated infections, official registration, and actual care. Parliamentary material points to shortfalls in early diagnosis and access to health services, with thousands potentially unaware of their status or not in treatment.
Child cases by province and territory
Of the 3,900 children registered from January 2025 to June 2026, Sindh reported the highest number at 1,915, followed by Punjab with 1,765. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 139 cases and Balochistan 46. Islamabad registered 30, Azad Jammu and Kashmir four, and Gilgit-Baltistan one.
Testing up, new infections still rising
Screening has expanded: HIV tests rose from 37,944 in 2020 to 374,126 in 2025. Even so, the gap between estimated HIV cases in Pakistan and registered patients suggests many people remain outside the formal system.
Estimated annual new infections increased from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024 — a threefold rise that underlines how hard transmission has been to contain. Broader testing and reliable ART access remain central to finding infections earlier and limiting spread.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2010: Estimated new HIV infections stood at 16,000 a year.
- 2020: HIV screening tests totalled 37,944.
- 2024: Estimated new infections reached 48,000 a year — three times the 2010 level.
- 2025: Screening tests rose to 374,126.
- January 2025–June 2026: 3,900 children were registered with HIV, with Sindh and Punjab reporting the largest shares.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan mein HIV ke cases bohot barh gaye hain — andaza hai lagbhag 417,000 log is virus ke saath jee rahe hain. In mein se sirf 67,878 log ilaaj (ART) le rahe hain. 2010 se 2024 tak naye infection teen guna barh kar 48,000 saalana ho gaye. Bachchon ke cases bhi register hue hain, is liye testing aur ilaaj tak pahunch bohot zaroori hai.
