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 — culminating in the death of the prime suspect during a police encounter.
Pakistan Today confirmed 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.
She was on duty at one of Pakistan’s largest public hospitals. She was doing her job. And a man who worked in the same building walked up to her room and threw acid on her.
What Happened Inside Civil Hospital Quetta
Pakistan Today confirmed the attack occurred between noon and 12:30 PM inside the hospital premises, leaving approximately 35% of her face and body affected.
Doctors alleged 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. Arab News Pakistan confirmed CCTV footage showed the accused knocking on the door before carrying out the assault. DIG Quetta Imran Shaukat stated: “The accused Humayun Shah was a lift operator in the Civil Hospital Quetta who was waiting for the doctor and when she arrived inside her room, he threw acid on her.”
Dawn’s detailed hospital report confirmed the doctor suffered severe burn injuries to her face, chest, legs, and other parts of her body. She was shifted to a private hospital immediately and then flown to Karachi via air ambulance.
The Suspect Was Killed in a Police Encounter
MM News confirmed the killed suspect was identified as 26-year-old Humayun Shah, who worked as a lift operator at the hospital. Police said officers attempted to arrest him at a bus stop following intelligence on his whereabouts. The suspect allegedly opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which he was killed.
Pakistan Today confirmed that during investigation, it emerged the man had been harassing Dr Mahnoor Nasir for several months before the incident — uncovered through messages.
This detail matters. This was not random. He had been harassing her for months. And when she did not comply with whatever he wanted, he chose acid.
Government and Medical Community React
Express Tribune confirmed that on CM Mir Sarfraz Bugti’s directives, Dr Mahnoor Nasir was shifted from Civil Hospital Quetta to Karachi through the Peoples Air Ambulance service for advanced medical treatment. The CM stated the provincial government would bear all treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery expenses.
Bugti stated: “The government will not compromise on the rule of law. Those involved in violence against women have no place in Balochistan.”
Express Tribune’s protest coverage confirmed that following the attack, doctors and paramedical staff launched protests and suspended routine medical services, keeping only emergency facilities operational.
This Is Not the First Time Pakistani Doctors Have Faced Violence
The News Pakistan confirmed the acid attack has renewed concerns about workplace safety for healthcare professionals in Balochistan, with doctors calling for immediate measures to ensure protection and justice.
Hospitals should be the safest places in any country. We recently reported on Rawalpindi hospitals struggling to afford medicines — a crisis of funding. Now we are reporting on a doctor airlifted to Karachi after being attacked in the building where she was trying to save lives. Both stories are about the same broken system. One about money. One about safety. Both about the people inside the system paying the price.
Dr Mahnoor Nasir deserves full recovery and full justice. The investigation must be transparent.
