KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the Sindh Assembly, Taha Ahmed Khan, has written a letter to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, expressing grave concern over the alarming rise in HIV cases across the province and urging immediate government intervention.
In his letter dated April 17, 2026, Taha Ahmed Khan highlighted that as many as 894 HIV cases have been reported in just the first three months of 2026, including a significant number of children, terming the situation “deeply disturbing” and a reflection of systemic failures in the healthcare system.
He noted that the growing number of HIV infections, particularly among children, raises serious questions about unsafe medical practices, including the reuse of syringes, poor sterilization protocols, and inadequate blood screening mechanisms. He warned that such preventable causes indicate a breakdown in regulatory enforcement and accountability.
The MQM-P leader stated that the situation is not merely a public health issue but also points towards negligence and poor governance, adding that citizens’ lives are being put at risk due to unsafe healthcare practices.
He called on the Sindh government to order an independent, transparent, and time-bound inquiry into the matter, with findings made public. He further demanded that responsibility be fixed at all levels and strict accountability ensured against those found negligent.
Taha Ahmed Khan also urged the authorities to launch a province-wide crackdown on unlicensed and non-compliant clinics, laboratories, and blood banks, and to enforce strict infection prevention and control protocols, including mandatory blood screening standards without exception.
Emphasizing the need for preventive measures, he called for large-scale public awareness campaigns focusing on HIV prevention, early detection, and safe medical practices. He also stressed the importance of ensuring accessible and uninterrupted treatment facilities for all affected individuals, particularly children.
He concluded by urging the government to act with urgency, stating that there is no room for further delay when public health and safety are at stake.
