• Dr. Mahnoor Nisar, a postgraduate trainee doctor injured in an acid attack at Civil Hospital Quetta, remains stable while receiving treatment in Karachi.
• Police identified the suspect as a hospital employee who allegedly carried out the assault and was later killed during a shootout while attempting to flee Quetta.
• The incident has triggered protests across Balochistan, with doctors demanding stronger security measures in public hospitals.
Dr. Mahnoor Nisar, a postgraduate trainee doctor injured in an acid attack inside Civil Hospital Quetta, remains in stable condition after being airlifted to Karachi for specialized treatment. The attack occurred on June 7 at Balochistan's largest government-run hospital, where police said a hospital employee allegedly threw acid on the doctor before fleeing the scene.
The incident has sparked outrage among healthcare workers across the province, prompting protests and service boycotts by doctors who are calling for stronger workplace security in public hospitals.
Hospital sources told Dawn that Dr. Nisar sustained burn injuries to her face, chest, legs, and other parts of her body. She is currently receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, where plastic surgery and ophthalmology specialists are monitoring her condition. Doctors have reported that her vision remains intact despite eye involvement in the attack. According to hospital sources cited by Dawn, Dr. Nisar remained stable and showed no life-threatening or organ-threatening complications while continuing treatment under specialist care.
According to Quetta police, the suspect, identified as Humayun Shah, allegedly entered Dr. Mahnoor Nisar's room at Civil Hospital Quetta and threw acid on her before fleeing the facility. Deputy Inspector General of Police Imran Shaukat told Arab News that Shah worked as a lift operator at the hospital.
The attack took place while Dr. Nisar was on duty in the hospital's surgical ward, with the suspect allegedly using a bottle containing acid to carry out the assault.
Law enforcement agencies launched a search operation and tracked the suspect while he was allegedly attempting to leave Quetta by bus. Police said he opened fire when officers tried to apprehend him and was killed in the ensuing shootout.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the assault, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Acid exposure can cause severe chemical burns, leading to scarring, infection, and, in some cases, permanent damage to the eyes and skin.
Hospital sources told Dawn that Dr. Mahnoor Nisar developed bilateral corneal opacities, a condition that causes clouding of the cornea. However, doctors reported that her vision remains intact despite the eye injuries.
She is receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, where specialists are monitoring her recovery and evaluating the extent of the burns.
The attack prompted the Young Doctors Association (YDA) to boycott outpatient and ward services at government hospitals while continuing emergency care.
The YDA later announced an indefinite strike across government hospitals in Quetta, suspending outpatient departments and elective services while maintaining emergency and critical care services.
YDA President Dr. Hai Baloch described the incident as an attempted murder and called for stronger security measures to protect healthcare workers in public hospitals.
Doctors' representatives also raised concerns about inadequate security arrangements at healthcare facilities and questioned the effectiveness of outsourced security systems within public hospitals.
The protest action continued into a second consecutive day, affecting routine healthcare services in government hospitals while emergency services remained operational.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack and directed authorities to ensure Dr. Nisar receives the best available medical treatment. Provincial officials also said the government would cover all treatment expenses.
Bugti further announced a civil award for Abdul Razzaq Tarakai, a Civil Hospital employee who rushed to assist Dr. Nisar immediately after the attack.
The chief minister later publicly commended Tarakai's bravery, describing him as a valuable member of society whose actions reflected exceptional courage during the emergency.
Also see: Beyond Skin Deep: The Devastating Impact of Acid Attacks
The acid attack has heightened concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in public hospitals, particularly women working in clinical settings.
Medical organizations from different parts of Balochistan expressed solidarity with Dr. Nisar and reiterated demands for comprehensive security reforms to safeguard healthcare professionals in government facilities.
The protests expanded beyond Balochistan on June 9, as doctors and healthcare workers in Karachi demonstrated in solidarity with Dr. Nisar and demanded stronger protections for healthcare professionals across Pakistan. The Pakistan Medical Association and Young Doctors Association called for foolproof protection mechanisms for healthcare staff.
With doctors across Balochistan demanding stronger security measures, the incident has renewed debate over workplace violence in healthcare facilities and the protections available to medical staff while on duty.
As authorities continue to investigate the case, the attack is likely to intensify calls for improved security arrangements in government hospitals across the province.
(Rh/TP/MSM)