In a major blow to Pakistan’s fight against infectious diseases, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has reduced its financial support for the current grant cycle, citing global funding limitations and the need to redirect resources more effectively.
This funding cut comes as Pakistan grapples with an alarming surge in HIV, TB, and malaria cases, while ongoing governance gaps and administrative weaknesses further complicate its response.
As detailed in an official letter to Pakistani authorities, the country’s allocation under Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) has been reduced by over $27 million—from $250.8 million to $223.6 million. The largest impact will be on the National TB Control Program, whose allocation dropped from $145.7 million to $129.9 million. Similarly, the HIV/AIDS program implemented by the National AIDS Control Program and UNDP Pakistan saw a reduction of over $4 million, while malaria initiatives also suffered cuts across multiple partners.
The decision reflects both external funding constraints and frustration within the Global Fund and Pakistan’s health community over delays, inefficiencies, and alleged financial mismanagement in past grants.
Adding to concerns, Pakistan’s Common Management Unit (CMU)—responsible for overseeing HIV, TB, and malaria efforts—currently operates without a permanent head, and the key national programmes lack full-time managers. Although the Ministry of National Health Services has advertised these positions, experts stress the need for competent and transparent appointments to restore credibility.
Meanwhile, disease burdens continue to climb. Over 1,200 new HIV infections are reported monthly, with experts fearing actual figures may exceed 3,000 due to weak surveillance. Pakistan remains one of the world’s top five TB-burdened countries, recording over 610,000 new TB cases each year, including rising drug-resistant TB. Malaria outbreaks are also resurging, driven by climate change and poor vector control.
The Global Fund has urged Pakistan to prioritise the most critical interventions and finalise revised funding plans by July 14, 2025, warning that failure to act will trigger automatic implementation of the reduced grant.
Public health experts caution that without swift reform and accountable leadership, Pakistan risks losing more donor support—and countless preventable lives.
