KARACHI: A female doctor injured in an acid attack at a Quetta hospital is now in stable condition and receiving specialised treatment at a private hospital in Karachi, according to hospital sources.
The victim, identified as Dr Mahnoor Nasir, was airlifted to Karachi after sustaining severe injuries in the attack at Sandeman Provincial Hospital in Quetta.
Hospital officials said Dr Nasir has suffered burn injuries covering around 13 per cent of her body, including damage to her face, abdomen, legs and right hand. She has been moved to a Special Care Unit for treatment.
Specialist surgeons and ophthalmologists have completed initial assessments. Although her eyes were affected by the acid, doctors confirmed that her eyesight remains intact and her condition is out of danger.
Medical teams said she underwent initial tests upon arrival at the private facility on University Road, and her condition has been described as stable. She is expected to remain under intensive care for at least two days, followed by close observation for around 10 days with repeated evaluations.
Meanwhile, police confirmed that a case has been registered at the Civil Lines Police Station in Quetta over the acid attack. The FIR has been lodged under Section 336-B against the suspect identified as Humayun Shah.
Officials said the suspect was later killed during an encounter while police attempted to arrest him.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Kakar said the suspect had allegedly been harassing the doctor for several months, adding that evidence of harassment was recovered from his mobile phone.
He said although Balochistan has burn treatment facilities, the victim was shifted to Karachi at the request of her family. He added that the provincial government, under Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, has assured full support for her treatment.
The incident has triggered strong reaction from medical professionals, with associations demanding stronger protection mechanisms for female healthcare workers in hospitals.
Separately, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also spoke to Abdul Razzaq Tareen, a hospital employee injured while trying to rescue the doctor during the attack, praising his courage and assuring full medical support.
Following the incident, doctors’ associations in Balochistan announced a boycott of routine services, continuing only emergency care, in protest against the attack.