Social activist and public figure Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr. has called for stronger HIV awareness and prevention efforts across Sindh, stressing the need to combat unsafe medical practices.
The Rotary Club of Karachi Centennial organized an awareness seminar on HIV/AIDS, bringing together health experts, corporate leaders, educators, and civil society representatives to discuss the growing public health challenges associated with the disease in Sindh.
The event was organized under the leadership of the club’s Vice President, Taab Ahmed Khan, and presided over by Rotary Club of Karachi Centennial President Raazia Bari. The session focused on increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging stronger collaboration between public institutions, private organizations, and community groups.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content
A key highlight of the seminar was the keynote address delivered by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr., who shared his observations regarding the different factors contributing to HIV transmission in urban and rural areas of Sindh.
Speaking about rural Sindh, Bhutto Jr. stressed that unsafe medical practices remain a major concern. He pointed to the reuse of syringes by unqualified practitioners and the widespread social stigma surrounding HIV testing as significant obstacles in controlling the spread of the disease. According to him, many people avoid seeking medical assistance or testing due to fear of discrimination and social pressure.
Discussing urban Sindh, he highlighted increasing concerns related to high-risk behaviors, injectable drug use, and a lack of open discussion about HIV even among educated segments of society. He noted that silence and misinformation continue to hinder efforts aimed at prevention and treatment.
Also Read:
Karachi inaugurates free hospital
for heart patients
Bhutto Jr. also spoke about his ongoing grassroots awareness initiatives, emphasizing the need for continuous public education campaigns. He urged organizations, businesses, and civil society groups to play a more active role in supporting awareness efforts through corporate social responsibility programs and community engagement projects.
He called on institutions to invest resources in public health education, promote testing and treatment services, and create platforms that encourage open discussions about HIV/AIDS without fear of stigma or discrimination.
The seminar was attended by several distinguished guests, including Prof. Dr. Asghar Dashti, Syedain Raza Naqvi, and Dr. Sabiha Khan. Participants discussed the importance of coordinated efforts between healthcare professionals, educational institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.
Follow the Times of Karachi channel on WhatsApp
Corporate leaders and professionals attending the event expressed their commitment to supporting awareness initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and improving access to information and healthcare services.
In his concluding remarks, Assistant Governor Rotary Aadil Riaz emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing public health challenges and praised the efforts of organizers for creating a platform to discuss a critical issue affecting communities across Sindh.
