Pakistan observed World Aids Day on Sunday with an aim to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to provide best possible medical treatment to the infected people.

Various events were organized by the government and private sector to express solidarity with the people suffering from the fatal disease.

An art exhibition was held in the country's capital Islamabad, where young students showcased their painting highlighting the importance of awareness about the disease to protect the future generations.

The Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) organized a walk in connection with the AIDS Day in the country's southern port city of Karachi. People from all walks of life attended the walk themed "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero Aids-related deaths."

HIV-AIDS disease is rapidly increasing in Pakistan and the country has seen an eight-fold increase in HIV cases between 2001 and 2012, said a UN report earlier on Saturday.

According to estimates, currently the national average prevalence of HIV among Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) is nearly 37. 8 percent and the number of people living with HIV in Pakistan is near 100,000.

The most advanced stage of HIV infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has killed about 5,000 people in Pakistan so far.

Government is taking measures to provide treatment to the AIDS infected people. Addressing media on Sunday, Dr. Zahid Pervez, Director General Health of Punjab province said that the government has allocated Rs. 1.5 billion (more than 13 million USD) for prevention, diagnose and treatment of the disease.

In a message on the AIDS Day, President Mamnoon Hussain said that as HIV is an issue of global concern, it is important that the international community focuses on AIDS prevention and cure in the less developed countries and thereby help make Pakistan and the whole world HIV and AIDS free. Endi

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