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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday pledged to bolster the nation&#39;s fight against three major infectious diseases that claim thousands of lives annually during a meeting with international health financing officials in Islamabad. According to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif met with a delegation of the Global Fund, led by Head of Grant Management Mark Edington. Senior Portfolio Manager Izaskun Gaviria and Deputy General Counsel Natasha Heffinck also attended. PM Sharif told the delegation that Pakistan values its partnership with the Global Fund as essential to strengthening the country&#39;s healthcare infrastructure. He announced plans to establish a joint task force with the organization to prevent HIV transmission in Pakistan. &ldquo;The government is determined to eliminate all three diseases,&rdquo; the prime minister said. Pakistan&#39;s health ministry provided the delegation with details on current disease prevention initiatives. The Global Fund representatives commended the government&#39;s efforts and pledged continued partnership. The meeting included federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and Attaullah Tarar, as well as the prime minister&#39;s polio eradication coordinator. Pakistan&#39;s expanding health response Pakistan has gained ground in its fight against the three infectious diseases in recent years. The National AIDS Control Program reported more than 76,000 documented HIV cases nationwide, with roughly 55,500 people accessing treatment. The virus spreads primarily among high-risk populations, among which targeted prevention strategies are yielding measurable results. Malaria cases, meanwhile, had peaked following the devastating 2022 floods. The Directorate of Malaria Control reported that cases surged above 2.8 million during the crisis, but recent interventions have begun to reverse&nbsp;that trend. The year 2025 recorded a 10% decline from 2024. Balochistan and Sindh provinces, traditionally the hardest hit areas, were seeing improved outcomes through expanded prevention efforts. Meanwhile, tuberculosis remains a challenge, but the government has been mobilizing resources to combat it. According to the National TB Control Program, the country ranks fifth worldwide in TB burden and carries roughly one-third of all infections across its region. The program reported nearly 670,000 people received treatment annually, with approximately 51,000 deaths, as the government works to reduce cases through new treatment networks.

A delegation of Global Fund meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (PMO)

Health

Government announces the formation of a new joint task force to accelerate efforts to prevent HIV and strengthen overall disease control measures nationwide.

Pakistan PM pledges full government efforts in fight against malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for a decisive and collective effort to tackle HIV in Pakistan, warning that rising infections and limited treatment coverage demand &ldquo;immediate, coordinated and compassionate action.&rdquo;&nbsp;In his message on World AIDS Day, the prime minister stressed that the government is prioritizing prevention, testing and treatment services, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. He said stigma and discrimination remain among the biggest barriers to care, urging society to &ldquo;support, not isolate&rdquo; people living with HIV.&nbsp;The prime minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to achieving global targets to ensure that those most at risk can access timely diagnosis and lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. &ldquo;No one should be left behind,&rdquo; he said, noting that improved awareness, public engagement, and stronger health systems are essential for reversing the trend.&nbsp;He highlighted the need to expand early testing, increase treatment uptake, and ensure that essential medicines reach all parts of the country. The prime minister also underscored ongoing work with provincial governments and development partners to strengthen the national HIV response and enhance community-based services. In April, a UNDP-supported Global Fund report warned that Pakistan could face a wider public health crisis if testing and treatment rates do not accelerate. According to the report, around 290,000 Pakistanis are living with HIV. Yet only 23% know their status, and just 15% are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment, a gap the prime minister described as &ldquo;deeply concerning.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report noted improvements in prevention outreach, with community-led sites expanded to 53 locations and mobile services reaching thousands of people. However, it emphasized that low treatment enrollment and poor retention in care continue to undermine national efforts.&nbsp;As Pakistan marks World AIDS Day, the prime minister called for unity and compassion, saying the fight against HIV is &ldquo;not only a public health challenge but a test of our commitment to dignity, justice and human rights.&rdquo;&nbsp;He urged citizens, communities, and institutions to work together to build a healthier and more inclusive society where people living with HIV can access care without fear or prejudice.

In his message on World AIDS Day, the prime minister says the government is prioritizing prevention, testing and treatment services, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Articles tagged with "HIV cases in Pakistan"

Pakistan PM pledges full government efforts in fight against malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

PM Sharif calls for renewed effort against HIV as Pakistan faces rising infections

Pakistan PM pledges full government efforts in fight against malaria, HIV and tuberculosis