HIV Spreads in Islamabad: 618 New Cases Recorded in 15 Months, Children and Transgender Persons Among Victims

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s federal capital is witnessing a sharp rise in HIV infections, with official data revealing 618 new cases recorded between January 2025 and March 2026 — an average of more than 41 new infections per month.
According to a government report, 498 of these cases were reported during the year 2025 alone, signaling an accelerating public health crisis in the heart of the country.
Of the 618 confirmed cases, 397 are adult men, 106 are women, 93 are transgender individuals, and 22 are children. Adult males account for 64 percent of all reported infections, reflecting a disproportionate impact on young men. The inclusion of 22 children and 93 transgender persons has drawn particular concern from health authorities and civil society organisations.
Health experts are calling for an urgent national awareness campaign, expanded screening facilities, and non-discriminatory access to treatment for all affected individuals, regardless of gender or social background.
The data underscores the need for a coordinated response from federal and provincial health departments to prevent further spread of the virus across the country.