About Us

The Association of People Living with HIV [APLHIV]-Pakistan is a Nationwide Network of People Living With HIV, affected by HIV, at risk of HIV and associated Key Populations. The APLHIV was commissioned formally in 2008 in response to the absence of an appropriate platform to voice and address the human rights issues of PLHIV and other associated populations/people, and to provide them with a quality of life with dignity.

The Federal Secretariat of the APLHIV is located at Islamabad, providing an effective and vibrant venue for a wide range of National and International Organizations to exchange and share HIV-related resources, and to forge partnerships that enhance the quality, coverage, and impact of their efforts to combat the HIV epidemic and address its associated issues.

Operating under the National Coordinator and Deputy National Coordinator, and assisted by a team of experts under the policies spelled out by a Federal Executive Board from across Pakistan, APLHIV collaborates with existing National and Provincial Structures, Regional Partners, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and the United Nations system to implement various projects and activities to achieve its mission, vision, goals, and objectives.

In recent years, APLHIV has emerged as a strong national research agency by generating 12 national level research studies that provide sufficient evidence to policy and decision makers for combating the HIV epidemic and improving the quality of life of communities. It has also established 27 HIV Community Support Groups (CSGs) across Pakistan, which played a critical role during COVID-19 and the 2022 floods by ensuring the availability of food support and life-saving drugs at doorsteps.

APLHIV has been a pioneer in initiating a Community Based Model of service delivery in Pakistan and has developed and launched the first-ever HIV Community Mobilization Strategy. APLHIV is highly appreciated for its most innovative approaches to raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination. This includes initiation of APLHIV Annual Community Awards to recognize and decorate best PLHIV and organization for their outstanding contributions. APLHIV annual Sports week is another innovative approach to use sports as an awareness and advocacy tool to change social norms. Annual Meena Bazar is one of the most impactful platforms to economically empower the marginalized communities in Pakistan. Pakistan CSO Partnership Forum was established in 2018 by the APLHIV in close collaboration with UNAIDS Country Office with Eight (8) Organizations as its members. This is expected to be an advisory forum, that will provide a platform to communities, CBOs, CSOs and partners, to take stock of the HIV situation and HIV response. It intends to provide a much-needed space for communities, key populations, people living with HIV and AIDS and civil society to share their experiences, share knowledge within, among & across provinces on addressing stigma and discrimination, HIV prevention and treatment, and ensuring quality long-term care. APLHIV is the host secretariat of the forum. Currently the forum has 75 members organizations from across Pakistan.

In addition to its contributions to HIV response, APLHIV is innovative and adaptable to changing global health priorities, including “Mental Health”, Climate Change (Just-Climate) and its effects on Health, Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR), Community System Strengthening, and Community Led Responses. It also focuses on engaging Parliamentarians for improved community health outcomes.

Tuberculosis is another focus area, as it is closely related to HIV. APLHIV has established 15 TB CSGs across Pakistan to promote TB activism at the grassroots level. To build TB community capacity and engagement, it launched the Activists Coalition on TB in Pakistan (ACT! PK). Among its successes are the establishment of TB Community Support Groups, the launch of a TB CRG assessment, the development of a TB Stigma Reduction Strategy, and the launch of the first-ever TB Scorecard. The most significant engagement was in developing the Global Fund-Funding Request for Grant Cycle-7.

Our strategic priorities include (1) Research & Advocacy, (2) Improved Community Health Outcomes, (3) Organizational Innovation & Adaptability, (4) Resource Mobilization & Sustainability, and (5) Community System Strengthening.