Pakistan, Oct. 19 -- Health authorities in Sindh are grappling with a severe dengue outbreak as infection rates in Karachi and Hyderabad continue to rise sharply, far exceeding official figures. The provincial health department has reported 819 total cases so far this year; however, data obtained from major hospitals and laboratories suggests the real number may have surpassed 12,000 within just six weeks. Experts warn that this discrepancy highlights a deep gap between reported data and the ground reality.

According to government records, Karachi and Hyderabad have reported 579 and 119 confirmed cases respectively. Yet, independent data from Indus Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, and Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital indicates 2,97...