AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil Hospital in Quetta attacked a young female doctor, Mahnoor Nasir, with acid and fled, leaving her with serious burn injuries, including on her eyes. She is currently being treated at a private medical facility in Karachi, having been airlifted to the city for specialised care. The suspect was killed by local police in an ‘encounter’ as he attempted to flee the city on a bus, which means this case will not go to trial. Meanwhile, another hospital employee, Abdul Razzaq, is being hailed as a hero. In a video circulated widely on social media, he could be seen rushing to the assistance of the injured doctor, and ended up experiencing burn injuries himself. The explosion of anger around this incident has been near universal, with citizens condemning the attack and describing it as an attack on young women everywhere. In protest, Quetta’s doctors have proceeded on strike.

Given the circumstances, it is difficult to make an informed comment till some headway has been made in the case. What can be identified is a familiar pattern: the use of acid to disfigure and deface someone who has caused a perceived slight or reputational injury is unfortunately too common in our society. It is encouraging to note that the overwhelming public outrage signals a positive shift in how such attacks are now perceived. It is deeply unfortunate, however, that this crime will not be prosecuted. The victim, and indeed, young Pakistani women everywhere, deserve to see their right to safety upheld by the justice system. With the suspect dead — killed by the police before he could be made to answer for his crime — that opportunity is lost. Even the striking doctors have asked why he was not taken alive. That measure of justice — and the truth that would have surfaced in a trial — has been denied.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026