ISLAMABAD: Official figures from the Ministry of Regulation and National Health Services Coordination show that the Islamabad Capital Territory recorded at least 618 new HIV cases between January 2025 and March 2026, with data showing a steady month-on-month increase and adult men making up the majority of those diagnosed.
Officials said 498 cases were recorded in 2025, while another 120 cases were reported in the first three months of 2026, indicating a sustained trend in transmission in the federal capital.
Monthly data shows that 40 cases were reported in January 2025, 43 in February, 41 in March, 39 in April, 36 in May, 31 in June, 63 in July, 45 in August, 52 in September, 36 in October, 41 in November and 31 in December.
In 2026, 41 cases were recorded in January, 39 in February and 40 in March.
An official from the Ministry of National Health Services said the data reflects “consistent detection of new HIV cases every month in Islamabad, with periodic spikes indicating continued transmission within urban networks.”
The highest number of cases was recorded in July 2025 with 63 infections, followed by September with 52 and August with 45, while the lowest monthly number was 31 cases in June and December.
A demographic analysis shows that out of 618 cases, 397 were adult men, representing more than 64 percent of total infections.
Adult women accounted for 106 cases, while 93 cases were reported among transgender people.
Children made up a smaller proportion, with 14 male cases and eight female cases reported during the period.
“More than half of those diagnosed are young men, and the majority of them admit to drug use and unsafe sexual practices under the influence of drugs, especially methamphetamine,” said a senior health official at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
Health experts said the predominance of infections among adult men is consistent with emerging trends in high-risk behavior, including drug use and related sexual activity, commonly known as chemsex.
Doctors treating HIV-positive patients said sex under the influence of methamphetamine, known locally as Ice, is often prolonged and unprotected, significantly increasing the risk of transmission.
They noted that such practices are reported among several groups, including men who have sex with men, transgender people and sex workers.
Experts said the use of stimulants reduces inhibition and is associated with multiple partners and low condom use, thereby contributing to the spread of HIV in urban areas like Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
They added that the presence of infections among women, transgender people and children indicates transmission beyond high-risk groups, suggesting spread to broader population networks, including spouses and families.
Officials argued the data underscores the need to expand testing, raise public awareness and intervene on high-risk behaviors to contain the spread of HIV in the capital.
