PESHAWAR: A Technical Advisory Committee reviewing the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Protection Bill, 2026, has recommended streamlining the legislation to strengthen protections for people living with HIV and integrate HIV services into the province’s existing public health system.
The committee, formed on the directions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Khaliq ur Rehman, reviewed the draft in detail in Peshawar, focusing on confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination, access to treatment and clear institutional responsibilities.
The meeting was organised by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW) with technical assistance from Blue Veins and chaired by KPCSW Chairperson Dr Sumera Shams.
Dr Shams said the proposed law should combine effective public health measures with safeguards for the dignity, privacy and equality of people living with HIV. She said the legislation should also establish a practical institutional framework that can be implemented through the existing health system.
Key provisions under review
The proposed bill aims to establish a provincial framework for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support while protecting the rights and privacy of people living with or affected by HIV.
Yumna Aftab, Senior Programme Officer at Blue Veins, outlined key provisions covering informed consent, confidentiality, non-discrimination, access to essential HIV services, continuity of treatment, surveillance and accountability.
Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager at Blue Veins, presented feedback from the Provincial HIV/AIDS Control Programme and Technical Advisory Committee members, including Dr Shahid Yunas, Shazia Atta, Rehana Ismail and Shaiza Themas.
Two response matrices were prepared to link recommendations with the relevant provisions of the bill, the status of their integration, revisions made and the rationale behind each change.
The committee subsequently examined institutional arrangements, disclosure and confidentiality, access to treatment, stigma and discrimination, surveillance, regulatory responsibilities and implementation mechanisms.
HIV programme to be integrated into existing health system
Dr Tariq Hayat, Director of the Provincial HIV/AIDS Control Programme, said integrating HIV prevention and treatment into the broader public health system was important for maintaining essential services and ensuring continuity of care.
The committee recommended that the HIV Prevention and Control Programme operate within the Directorate General Health Services rather than through a separate or parallel structure. An earlier technical review had already led to the removal of a proposed separate HIV/AIDS Wing.
MPAs Shaiza Themas and Rehana Ismail said the legislation should ensure that people living with HIV can access healthcare, education, employment and public services without discrimination, while remaining consistent with existing provincial legal and health frameworks.
Further legal review planned
The committee also recommended cross-checking the proposed bill against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Health Act, the KP Health Care Commission Act and other relevant laws and policies to prevent duplication and ensure consistency.
Qamar Naseem said the recommendations received during the review had been documented and linked to the relevant provisions of the bill. The next stage, she said, would be to prepare a more concise and legally coherent draft while retaining the proposed protections and essential services.
The committee agreed that the bill would undergo another round of technical revisions before being sent for formal legal vetting.
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