Pakistan Superbug Crisis May Cause 262,000 Deaths By 2050

Recent reports indicate that Pakistan's healthcare system is grappling with severe challenges, particularly in managing drug-resistant infections. A new pathogen list has flagged hospital superbugs and highlighted the unchecked misuse of antibiotics nationwide, raising alarms about the potential for over 262,000 deaths from superbugs by 2050, as reported by Geo News on February 23, 2026. This dire prediction emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory reforms in antibiotic sales, as critical hospital bacteria are driving rising treatment failures, with drug-resistant tuberculosis remaining a significant national threat exacerbated by unregulated antibiotic sales. The report underscores the gravity of Pakistan's public health landscape, where ineffective antibiotic stewardship could lead to catastrophic patient outcomes.