A Female Doctor Injured in Quetta After an Acid Attack
- Human Rights Research Center
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
June 9, 2026
HRRC strongly condemns this brutal acid attack on Dr Mahnoor and calls it a grave act of gender-based violence and workplace insecurity. HRRC urges the authorities to ensure justice, strengthen protection for female healthcare workers, and prevent such attacks in the future.
![Dr Mahnoor Nasir [Image credits: Amina Zubair]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f05ed1_36a96b7984ab485596670f955cc0e7b0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_512,h_507,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/f05ed1_36a96b7984ab485596670f955cc0e7b0~mv2.png)
A female doctor at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, Dr Mahnoor Nasir, was severely injured in an acid attack on June 5 when a hospital staff member threw acid on her inside the orthopedic ward. The culprit immediately fled the scene. She was initially treated in Quetta and later transferred to Karachi by air ambulance for advanced care at Agha Khan University Hospital, a private hospital.
Hospital sources said that Dr Mahnoor sustained burns on her face, abdomen, thighs, chest and right hand, and her eyes were also affected. Initial reports differed on the extent of the burns, with some sources earlier claiming 70 percent or 35 percent injuries. In contrast, later Karachi hospital sources stated that around 13 percent of her body had suffered acid burns. Doctors said that her eyesight remains intact, although she had bilateral corneal opacities and remains under the care of plastic surgeons and ophthalmologists. Her condition had been described as stable and out of danger, with further medical assessment planned after 24 hours.
Police identified the suspect as Humayun Shah, reportedly a lift operator at the same hospital where the acid attack took place. He was later killed in an encounter while attempting to flee Quetta by bus. An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered under section 336-B, while officials claim to have found evidence that the suspect had harassed the doctor for months.
The attack sparked outrage among doctors, with the Young Doctors Association announcing a boycott except for emergency services. Meanwhile, Abdul Razzaq, who was injured while rescuing Dr Mahnoor, has been praised by the Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and is expected to receive a civil award of bravery.
Gender-based violence is a more common occurrence in Pakistan. Addressing this violence in Pakistan is an urgent necessity that requires immediate and collective action. Only by dismantling deep-rooted traditions and strengthening legal protections can the country ensure a safe, fair and equal future for all its citizens.
Glossary
Abdomen – the body cavity lying between the chest or thorax above and the pelvis below and from the spine in the back to the wall of abdominal muscles in the front.
Allegedly – used when something illegal or wrong is said to have been done, but has not been proved.
Bilateral Corneal Opacities – both eyes appear white or clouded over.
Boycott – to refuse to buy a product or take part in an activity as a way of expressing strong disapproval.
Condemns – to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons.
Culprit – someone who has done something wrong.
Gender-based violence (GBV) – is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue. When people flee their homes, they are often at greater risk of physical, sexual and psychological violence, such as rape, sexual abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution.
Extent – the point, degree, or limit to which something extends.
Flee – to run away, often from danger or evil.
Sparked – to set off in a burst of activity.
Workplace insecurity – Job insecurity refers to employment where workers lack assurance that their jobs will remain stable from day to day, week to week, or year to year. It is associated with an increased likelihood of psychological distress and disorder.
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