On Saturday, a female doctor at Civil Hospital Quetta was attacked with acid by a hospital employee, according to officials.

The suspect allegedly ambushed her on hospital premises before feeling the scene.

A place meant for healing became the scene of a horrific act of violence. After the attack, the suspect escaped, triggering a city-wide manhunt. Police later tracked him to an area where he was allegedly attempting to leave Quetta by bus.

According to Quetta DIG Imran Shaukat, police ordered the suspect to surrender. Authorities say he opened fire instead. A shootout followed and the suspect was killed on the spot.

Earlier, reports were claiming that Dr. Mahnoor had suffered 70% burns and had lost one of her eyes. However, by the grace of Allah, she is now doing well. Doctors have confirmed that she is out of danger. Her eyes, along with all her other organs, are completely healthy, and it has been clarified that her burns are between 13% and 20%, not 70% as initially reported.

Investigation of the suspect’s mobile phone has revealed that he had been blackmailing and harassing Dr. Mahnoor for several months. The head of the Young Doctors Action Committee, Dr. Tahir Musa Khail, said during a press conference in Quetta that before the acid attack, Dr. Mahnoor’s hair was also pulled. However, the exact truth is still under investigation by the police.

Police investigations are ongoing, and according to the authorities, a transparent and impartial investigation will be conducted to uncover all the facts

Official Response

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Health Minister Bakht Kakar condemned the attack and directed authorities to provide the doctor with the best available medical treatment.

On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr. Mahnoor was shifted to Karachi's Aga Khan University Hospital by air ambulance. She is currently undergoing treatment there, and her medical care is continuing.

This incident has also highlighted an act of remarkable bravery, as Abdul Razzaq risked his own life to save Dr. Mahnoor during the attack. In recognition of his courage, the Chief Minister of Balochistan has announced a civil award for him, honouring his selfless response in a critical moment.

An attacker had been identified, pursued, and brought to justice but that was only the end of his story. Dr Mahnoor’s story continues. Many people also believe that the suspect who was killed may have carried out the attack on someone else's instructions, meaning the main culprit could still be unidentified. Police investigations are ongoing, and according to the authorities, a transparent and impartial investigation will be conducted to uncover all the facts.

The Reality Behind The Numbers

Research and Advocacy groups estimate that around 150-200 acid attacks still occur annually across the country. Each case represents far more than a statistic. Each number is a life permanently altered.

“The attacker gets a few moments of satisfaction; the survivor gets a lifetime of consequences.”

-Statement of an acid attacker victim

This case raises very serious questions of safety and accountability in our institutions.Until the investigation continues, only a thorough and transparent investigation can bring justice and the real truth.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)