QUETTA: The suspect accused of carrying out a shocking acid attack on a female doctor inside Civil Hospital Quetta was killed in a police encounter hours after the incident, according to police officials, as outrage continued to spread across Pakistan's medical community over the brutal assault on a healthcare professional during duty hours.
The attack took place at approximately 12:30 pm in the Surgery Ward of Civil Hospital Quetta, where Lady Medical Officer Dr. Mah Noor Nasir was targeted with acid while performing her professional responsibilities.
The incident triggered panic within the hospital and sent shockwaves across the healthcare sector, with doctors, healthcare workers, and professional organizations describing it as an attack not only on an individual physician but on the entire medical profession.
Suspect killed in police encounter
Following the attack, law enforcement agencies launched an intensive operation to apprehend the accused.
According to police officials, the suspect involved in the acid attack was later killed during a police encounter. Authorities have yet to publicly disclose detailed information regarding the circumstances of the encounter, while investigations into the incident and the motive behind the attack remain ongoing.
The development came shortly after Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Interior Minister Balochistan Mir Ziaullah Langove directed law enforcement agencies to immediately apprehend the perpetrator and ensure swift action.
Doctor being shifted to Karachi for specialized treatment
Meanwhile, Dr. Mah Noor Nasir continues to receive treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
Given the seriousness of her condition, the Government of Balochistan decided to transfer her to Karachi for specialized medical care. The provincial government has formally communicated with a private hospital in Karachi and arranged for her transfer through an air ambulance.
Authorities have directed that all treatment expenses be borne by the government.
Young Doctors Associations demand greater protection
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan strongly condemned the acid attack and held a press conference at Civil Hospital Quetta shortly after the incident.
YDA leaders described the assault as a grave attack on the medical profession and urged the government to ensure strict action against those responsible, transparent investigations, and comprehensive security arrangements for healthcare workers serving in public hospitals. While acknowledging the swift police response, the association stressed that the broader issue of safety for doctors and healthcare staff remains unresolved.
Representatives warned that repeated incidents of violence against medical professionals create fear and insecurity among healthcare workers and can negatively affect healthcare delivery and patient care.
The Young Doctors Association Sindh also strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an unacceptable security failure inside a major public healthcare institution.
YDA Sindh Chairman Dr. Mehboob Ali Noonari said violence against a female doctor during duty hours was deeply alarming and raised serious questions about the safety of healthcare professionals working in hospitals. He emphasized that doctors cannot effectively serve patients unless their own security is guaranteed and called for concrete measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
King Edward Medical University offers support
The Faculty of King Edward Medical University expressed profound sorrow, shock, and strong condemnation over the attack, describing it as a barbaric and inhumane act against a healthcare professional serving humanity.
The university stated that violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable under any circumstances and constitutes an attack on the dignity, safety, and sanctity of the entire medical profession. Expressing solidarity with Dr. Mah Noor Nasir, her family, and the wider healthcare community, the institution offered all possible medical, surgical, rehabilitative, and humanitarian support through its Department of Plastic Surgery and affiliated teaching hospitals.
The faculty also urged authorities to ensure immediate justice and implement stronger measures to protect healthcare professionals across the country.
Allied Health Professionals Organization raises alarm
The Allied Health Professionals Organization Balochistan also issued a strong condemnation statement following the attack.
Provincial President Fazal Rehman Kakar said the incident should not be viewed merely as an attack on an individual doctor but as an assault on the entire healthcare system, medical fraternity, and humanity itself.
He warned that if female doctors and healthcare workers are not safe even within the provincial capital's largest public hospital, serious concerns arise regarding the overall security environment for both healthcare institutions and the general public.
The organization called for stronger hospital security protocols, transparent investigations, and long-term measures to ensure the protection of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and other healthcare staff, particularly women working in healthcare settings.
The organization also expressed complete solidarity with the Young Doctors Association Balochistan and the affected doctor, pledging full moral, legal, and organizational support.
Pakistan Medical Association joins condemnation
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) said cowardly assault on a doctor is not just an attack on a woman, but a direct blow to the entire healthcare system and the safety of those who save lives. The PMA expresses its profound grief and outrage over this heinous act. The PMA forcefully demands that the government and relevant authorities immediately provide foolproof and robust security to all doctors—especially female healthcare providers—serving in public and private hospitals across the country. The time for mere verbal assurances has passed; concrete action is now indispensable.
Renewed debate over healthcare worker safety
Although police officials report that the alleged attacker has been killed in a police encounter, the incident has reignited a broader debate regarding violence against healthcare workers in Pakistan.
Medical organizations argue that hospitals should remain secure spaces dedicated to treatment, healing, and public service. They have called for enhanced surveillance systems, controlled access mechanisms, dedicated hospital security units, and stricter enforcement of laws protecting healthcare professionals.
The attack on Dr. Mah Noor Nasir has become a rallying point for the medical community nationwide, highlighting concerns over workplace violence, particularly against female healthcare professionals working in public hospitals.
As Dr. Mah Noor Nasir undergoes treatment and recovery, healthcare organizations across Pakistan continue to demand systemic reforms and stronger safeguards to ensure that doctors and other healthcare workers can carry out their responsibilities in a safe and secure environment.
Stay informed, stay alert
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Medical News Pakistan on WhatsApp for real-time health alerts, expert insights, and breakthrough medical discoveries.