Islamabad: 11 July, 2014.  The Acting Speaker, Murtaza Javed Abbasi has stressed the need for stringent awareness campaign among the masses to control the HIV virus.  He said that   HIV Aids is a fatal epidemic and large number of people has become its victims annually across the world.   He expressed these views while talking to Marc Saba, UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan and Afghanistan who called on him in the Parliament House, today.

The Acting Speaker has reiterated pledge of the present government to accord top priority to the HIV/AIDS prevention strategies and interventions. The Acting Speaker on this occasion emphasized the need for greater collaboration between the UNAIDS and the parliament for active role of parliamentarians to cope with the increasing number of HIV cases in Pakistan particularly among people who inject drugs.

The Acting Speaker also urged for strengthening linkages among the key actors, institutions and universities to create awareness among the masses about HIV/AIDS.   He assured all out support and patronage to the HIV response in the country particularly legislations that can help to prevent HIV/AIDS and Drug use.  He called for continued and concerted measures from the parliamentarians, Provincial governments, Non-Government Organizations, Civil societies, Religious scholars, media and other stakeholders in this regard.

He thanked the UNAIDS for their support in devising National strategy and mobilizing resources for the HIV response in Pakistan.  He also called upon the international community to play even greater role in this collective responsibility to complement efforts aimed at reduction of new infections and focus the attention towards Zero new infections, zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths.