Health Ministry Rejects HIV Outbreak Claims in Islamabad

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has issued a clarification dismissing reports of an HIV outbreak in Islamabad, stating that the situation in the federal capital remains under control.

The ministry said the reported rise in cases has been misrepresented, as data covering a 15-month period was presented together, creating a misleading impression of a sudden increase.

According to the ministry, there is no evidence of any epidemic in Islamabad and no abnormal spike has been recorded in monthly HIV cases.

Officials said that out of the 618 reported cases, only 210 belong to residents of Islamabad, while the remaining cases are linked to individuals from other cities.

The ministry added that the inclusion of patients from outside the capital and cases identified within specific groups has led to a misinterpretation of the data, and does not indicate widespread transmission in the general population.