Night Parties Fueling HIV Spread in Major Cities, Says Pakistan’s Health Minister
Speaking during a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committees on Human Rights and Health, chaired by Senators Samina Zehri and Amir Waliuddin Chishti, the minister said that drug use at night parties often leads to risky sexual behavior, which contributes to the transmission of HIV.
"There is serious concern over what is happening at these night parties," Mustafa Kamal told the committee while discussions were underway on the National Population Coordination and Reproductive Health Bill 2026.
The health minister also highlighted the government's commitment to addressing Pakistan's rapidly growing population. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held several meetings on population control and that a committee comprising Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the finance minister, and other senior officials is actively working on the issue.
Mustafa Kamal pointed out that 82 percent of Pakistan's National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula is based on population, which he argued unintentionally encourages provinces to increase their populations. He noted that in neighboring countries, population carries only around 17 percent weight in resource distribution formulas.
He further said that provinces reducing population growth could receive fewer funds under the current system, creating a disincentive for effective family planning.
The minister added that, through the efforts of the prime minister and the finance minister, taxes on contraceptives have been reduced to zero in the current federal budget, making family planning products more affordable and accessible. He expressed hope that this measure could reduce annual population growth by approximately 150,000 people.
According to Mustafa Kamal, Pakistan records around 6.7 million newborn births every year, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive population management policies.