ISLAMABAD:
Parliamentary Health Minister Nelson Azeem told the National Assembly on Monday that 84,421 HIV cases have been recorded in the country and that all diagnosed patients are receiving treatment according to established medical protocols.
During question hour, Azeem said that dialysis patients are treated using separate machines to prevent cross-infection. Once diagnosed at any facility, patients receive proper treatment, with healthcare services available at hospitals across the country.
He noted that Punjab reported the highest number of HIV cases due to its stronger system of surveillance, testing and diagnosis, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.
He emphasized that while the government provides treatment, prevention requires a collective effort by the public and health care providers. Unsafe blood transfusions and unregulated medical practices are major causes of HIV transmission, underscoring the need for strict safety measures.
He said awareness campaigns have been launched in hospitals, clinics and among health workers, while laboratories are monitored to ensure proper blood screening. The focus remains on early diagnosis and timely treatment to improve patients’ quality of life.
Azeem also highlighted the support of international donor agencies, stating that all initiatives followed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and are regularly reviewed to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
The National Assembly also offered Fateha to Iran’s former speaker Dr. Ali Larijani and other people who were martyred during the ongoing war in the Gulf countries.
The House of Commons, which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, also offered prayers for the daughter of Senator Sherry Rehman and for Malik Niaz Ahmed Jhakkar, father of MNA Owais Haider Jhakkar. MNA Hafiz Nauman led the collective prayers.
Speaker Sadiq expressed sadness and recalled his personal relationship with Dr. Larijani, who served as Iran’s national security chief, was martyred on March 17 during an Israeli attack on a residential block on the outskirts of eastern Tehran.
According to the NA speaker, Dr. Ali Larijani victim of Israeli aggression.
During Question Time, lawmakers strongly criticized the Health Department’s performance. Sadiq expressed serious displeasure over the ministry’s failure to submit answers to five questions, stating that negligence in such a critical sector was unacceptable.
He sought an explanation from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who said efforts were being made to coordinate with relevant ministries to resolve the issue. The speaker subsequently summoned the federal health secretary to appear in his chambers immediately.
Several bills were also introduced in the session, including the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Financial Institutional Reforms Bill 2025. (INCLUDED) FROM FROM.
