June 17, 2026
By Hafiz ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
A protest was organised in front of the Islamabad Press Club by the Aurat March (Islamabad chapter) against the horrific incident of an acid attack on female doctor, Dr Mahnoor Nasir, at the Sandeman Civil Hospital in Quetta.
Human rights activists, political leaders, and representatives of various social organizations participated in the demonstration to express solidarity with the victim doctor and voiced strong anger against the rising violence against women in the country.
During the protest, prominent human rights activist and Aurat March leader Farzana Bari expressed concern over the current situation in the country.
“Too many incidents of violence against women are surfacing each day, showing us that this country is becoming like graveyard for women, and the state and state institutions are completely failing to provide protection to us,” she said. “We demand complete and proper medical treatment for Dr. Mahnoor. The police have killed the perpetrator, but I consider this to be unnecessary, as the police’s job is to arrest criminals while it is the job of the courts to sentence them. The patriarchal mindset has become so dangerous in Pakistan today that women are not safe in their homes, on the streets, or in their workplaces.”
Alia Amir Ali, representing the Awami Workers Party (AWP) Marxist, viewed the incident in a broader social context.
“We are here to raise our collective voice against the recent rise of gender based violence and discrimination,” she said. “Gender oppression and violence are linked to both class and national oppression. In a society where the tradition of ‘might is right’ is growing deeper, such rising incidents are a very dangerous sign. A precedent is being set that justice and principles no longer matter; whoever holds power and authority is authorized to commit any form of oppression. As this custom is increasingly gaining strength within both the state and society, we have come to protest against this and highlight that women are standing with other women.”
Former Senator and human rights activist, Farhatullah Babar, emphasized the need for a change in the societal mindset and legislation.
“The incident involving Dr. Mahnoor is neither the first and possibly not the last,” he said. “This kind of GBV reflects our society’s mindset which views a woman as a man’s property with no independent legal status, which is why a brother kills his sister in the name of karo kari, and then the father forgives that brother as the legal heir of the victim. Even major reputable institutions have stated that a husband is allowed to lightly beat his wife, or that a girl under 18 can be married, and this mindset must change. Ever since the Senate Human Rights Committee called a meeting on this issue, it should be understood that the issue should not be limited to a single committee; rather, it would be better to form a ‘Committee of the Whole’ by converting the entire Senate into a committee to debate this matter. Representatives from all parts of the country, provincial governments, police, prosecution, and the judiciary should be summoned, and a separate subcommittee should be formed to implement its decisions.”
Background
The incident took place on June 6 in the surgical ward of the Sandeman Civil Hospital in Quetta, where a lift operator, Humayun Shah, allegedly threw acid on lady doctor Mahnoor Nasir, resulting in severe injuries. After receiving initial medical aid, she was immediately shifted to Karachi, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Quetta, Shaukat Imran, the police took immediate action upon receiving information about the incident and deployed around one thousand personnel at various locations within less than an hour to arrest the suspect. During the search operation, the suspect Humayun Shah was identified at a bus stand. The police stated that an attempt was made to arrest him alive, but he refused to surrender and opened fire on the police, after which the suspect was killed in the retaliatory police fire. DIG Quetta strongly rejected allegations of an extrajudicial killing, stating that his department is strictly against illegal actions and that the circumstances left no room to capture the suspect alive.
Police officials stated that investigations so far reveal the act was a one-sided attempt by the suspect and no other person was involved. Following the incident, official denials were issued regarding rumors circulating on social media claiming that a marriage matter was ongoing between Dr. Mahnoor and the suspect. DIG Quetta clarified that neither the lady doctor’s family nor the police during the investigation found any such evidence, rendering these claims baseless. To probe deeper into the case, the suspect’s mobile phone has been handed over to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to retrieve deleted messages.
Since the victim doctor is currently passing through a phase of severe pain and trauma, her formal statement has not been recorded yet; however, the police administration remains in constant contact with her family, and further evidence will be shared with the media as it emerges.