QUETTA: A shocking acid attack on a female doctor at Civil Hospital Quetta has triggered widespread condemnation, protests by the medical community and swift action by law enforcement authorities, culminating in the death of the prime suspect during a police encounter.
The victim, identified as Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a postgraduate doctor serving in the hospital’s surgery ward, suffered serious burn injuries after acid was thrown on her during duty hours on Friday. According to the Young Doctors Association (YDA), the attack occurred between noon and 12:30 pm inside the hospital premises, leaving approximately 35 percent of her face and body affected.
Doctors alleged that the suspect, an employee responsible for operating a hospital lift, knocked on the doctor’s room door and threw acid on her when she came outside.
Following the attack, doctors and paramedical staff launched protests and suspended routine medical services, keeping only emergency facilities operational.
Meanwhile, police launched a district-wide search and combing operation to apprehend the suspect. According to police officials, the accused, identified as Humayun Shah, was traced near the inter-city bus terminal in Quetta. Authorities said he was ordered to surrender but allegedly opened fire on the police party. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he was critically wounded and later died.
Police recovered a pistol, four live rounds and two spent shell casings from the scene.
On the directives of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the injured doctor was shifted from Civil Hospital Quetta to Karachi through the Peoples Air Ambulance service for advanced medical treatment.
The chief minister said the provincial government would bear all expenses related to the victim’s treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. He assured the family of full support and directed relevant authorities to maintain constant contact with them and provide every possible assistance. “The government will not compromise on the rule of law. Those involved in violence against women have no place in Balochistan,” Bugti said, adding that the suspect had met his “logical end” and that the government remained committed to protecting women and ensuring justice for victims.
Waqar Bhatti adds: The man who attacked a female doctor with acid inside a government hospital in Quetta had been harassing her for several months before the incident, a fact uncovered during the investigation through messages found on his mobile phone, Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar told The News on Saturday.
Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a postgraduate trainee in general surgery at Sandeman Provincial Hospital Quetta, is currently undergoing treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi after suffering burn injuries in the attack.
According to Bakht Kakar, investigators found evidence that the accused, Humayun Shah, a contractual lift operator at the hospital, had repeatedly tried to establish a personal relationship with the young doctor and had been harassing her for months.
“He had been harassing her for a long time. Police came to know about it after examining his mobile phone,” the minister said, adding that it was surprising that Dr Mahnoor had not reported the matter to hospital authorities or her family.
The minister said Dr Mahnoor was initially shifted to the private Arya Medical Centre after large crowds gathered at the hospital following the attack. However, her parents later requested that she be transferred to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.
According to Kakar, preliminary assessments at Aga Khan University Hospital suggest that the doctor’s major organs, including her eyes, have not been damaged. “Most of the burns are superficial except for one deeper burn. We are hopeful that she will recover well,” he added.
Officials at Aga Khan University Hospital confirmed that Dr Mahnoor remains stable and was able to provide her medical history to doctors after arriving in Karachi.
