ISLAMABAD: The number of adults in Pakistan newly infected with HIV has sharply increased in the past decade, latest United Nations data shows.
A 2020 progress report published by the UN Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC) last week shows that despite an observed decline in new HIV infections among adults in several countries, overall worldwide progress in prevention was too slow to reach the 2020 target of a reduction in infections among adults to fewer than 500,000 a year. By the end of 2019, at least 1.7 million worldwide people had been infected.
Pakistan is among the countries where a rise in infections has been recorded, the report said.
Citing “low coverage of prevention and treatment services for key populations” in Pakistan, the report said the number of adults newly infected with HIV in the country increased by 74 percent between 2010 and 2019. The number of newly infected adults was 23,000 in 2019, about 1,000 more than in 2018.
It is estimated that between 160,000 and 210,000 people in Pakistan are living with HIV.
Although the overall prevalence in Pakistan is still less than 1 percent in the adult population, the World Health Organization lists the country among those where new HIV infections are increasing at an alarming level.
74 percent increase in HIV infections in Pakistan between 2010 and 2019 — UN
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74 percent increase in HIV infections in Pakistan between 2010 and 2019 — UN
- WHO lists Pakistan among countries where new HIV infections are increasing at an alarming level
- The number of newly infected Pakistani adults was 23,000 in 2019, about 1,000 more than in 2018
Curfew extended in Gilgit-Baltistan, probe ordered after deadly Khamenei protests
- At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Government also announces a de-weaponization campaign, crackdown on hate speech and cybercrime in region
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region on Tuesday extended a curfew in Gilgit district and ordered a judicial probe into violent protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes last week, an official said.
At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in GB, where protesters torched and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations regional offices, an army-run school, software technology park and a local charity building.
The violence prompted regional authorities to impose curfew in Gilgit and Skardu districts on March 2-4 as officials urged people to stay indoors and cooperate with law enforcers, amid widespread anger in Pakistan, particularly among members of the Shiite minority, over Khamenei’s killing.
On Tuesday, the GB government convened to review the situation and announced the extension of curfew in Gilgit among a number of security measures as well as ordered the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the weekend violence in the region.
“The government has made it clear that the law will strictly take its course against elements involved in vandalism at government institutions, private properties and incidents of vandalism in Gilgit and Skardu and no kind of mischief will be tolerated,” Shabbir Mir, a GB government spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In view of the security situation, curfew will remain in force in Gilgit, while the decision to extend the curfew in Skardu will be taken keeping the ground realities and the changing situation in view.”
The statement did not specify how long the curfew will remain in place in Gilgit.
Besides the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the violent clashes, the government also decided to launch a large-scale de-weaponization campaign in the entire Gilgit district, for which relevant institutions have been directed to immediately complete all necessary arrangements, according to Mir.
In addition, a crackdown has been ordered on hate speech, spread of fake news and cybercrime.
“The aim of these decisions is to ensure the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens and crack down on miscreants,” he said. “Approval has also been given to immediately survey the affected infrastructure and start their restoration work on priority basis.”
Demonstrators in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi also stormed the US Consulate on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to burn the building. Police responded with batons, tear gas, and gunfire, leaving 10 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Pakistani authorities have since beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the US consulate building in Peshawar, to avoid any further violence.
