Acid Attack on Female Doctor at Quetta Hospital Sparks Outrage Across Pakistan

QUETTA: A shocking acid attack on a female doctor at Civil Sandeman Hospital in Quetta has sparked outrage across Pakistan and raised serious concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in government hospitals.

The victim, identified as Dr. Mahnoor Nasir, is a postgraduate trainee doctor working in the surgery ward of Civil Sandeman Hospital, the largest public hospital in Balochistan. According to police and hospital officials, the attack took place while she was performing her duties inside the hospital.

Authorities said the suspect allegedly approached the doctor inside the hospital premises and threw acid on her before fleeing the scene. Hospital staff immediately rushed to help the injured doctor and provided emergency medical treatment before shifting her to a private medical facility in Quetta.

Doctors initially reported that around 35 percent of Dr. Mahnoor’s face and body suffered burn injuries in the acid attack. Later, hospital sources in Karachi said the burns covered nearly 13 percent of her body, including injuries to her face, abdomen, legs and right hand. Although her eyes were affected, doctors confirmed that her eyesight remains safe and her condition is now stable.

On the instructions of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Dr. Mahnoor was shifted to Karachi through a special air ambulance for advanced treatment. She is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Karachi, where reconstructive surgeons and eye specialists are monitoring her recovery closely.

Police launched a major search operation after the attack and used CCTV footage from the hospital to identify the suspect. Authorities later traced the accused, identified as Humayun Shah, near Quetta’s inter-city bus terminal. According to police, the suspect resisted arrest and opened fire on officers during the operation. He was killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Investigators recovered a pistol and ammunition from the scene. A case was also registered at Civil Lines police station under relevant legal sections related to the acid attack.

According to Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, evidence found on the suspect’s mobile phone showed that he had allegedly been harassing Dr. Mahnoor for several months. Officials claimed the suspect worked as a contractual lift operator at the hospital and had repeatedly attempted to establish a personal relationship with the doctor.

The attack triggered strong protests from the Young Doctors Association (YDA), which condemned the incident and called it a major failure of hospital security. Doctors and paramedical staff suspended routine services in protest, while emergency services remained operational.

The YDA demanded strict action against those responsible for hospital security and called for an independent judicial inquiry into the incident. The association warned that if proper safety measures are not introduced for doctors and healthcare staff, protests could expand across public hospitals in Balochistan.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also praised hospital employee Abdul Razzaq Tareen, who reportedly suffered burn injuries while trying to save Dr. Mahnoor during the attack. The chief minister assured him that the government would bear all treatment expenses.

The acid attack has once again highlighted growing concerns about harassment, workplace violence and the lack of security for female doctors and healthcare workers in Pakistan. Medical organizations have urged authorities to introduce stronger protection systems in hospitals to prevent such incidents in the future.