Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has reported a sharp increase in HIV cases, with 481 new infections recorded in the first four months of 2026, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.
According to the provincial health department, the rise has raised serious concern among medical experts, who have described the situation as a major public health challenge.
The director of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa AIDS Control Program, Dr Tariq Hayat, said the total number of registered HIV cases in the province has now reached 10,281, compared to 9,800 last year.
Officials said the infected population includes 7,178 men, 2,381 women, and 235 transgender individuals.
They also reported that 487 children under the age of 15 are living with the disease.
Health experts warned that while treatment facilities are available, stronger awareness campaigns, preventive measures, and early diagnosis are urgently needed to control the spread of the virus.