QUETTA — The Young Doctors Association (YDA) has announced an indefinite strike, shutting down Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and elective services in all government hospitals across the provincial capital. The strike was called on Sunday to protest a horrific acid attack targeting a female doctor inside the premises of Quetta’s Civil Hospital.
Key Highlights
- The YDA suspended OPDs and elective services across all Quetta government hospitals indefinitely.
- Dr. Mahnoor Nasir, 29, was severely injured after a hospital employee threw acid on her.
- The suspect, Humayun Shah, was reportedly killed in a police encounter while attempting to flee.
- Dr. Nasir is in stable condition at a Karachi hospital, where her vision remains preserved despite corneal scarring.
- The government and political leadership heavily condemned the incident, honoring a ward boy who risked his life to help the victim.
Alleged Suspect in Civil Hospital Quetta Acid Attack on Lady Doctor Killed in Police Encounter pic.twitter.com/okZ2Bia0Fi
— Nazrban Balochistan News (@NazrbanNews) June 6, 2026
Severe Assault and Victim’s Medical Status
The incident occurred on Saturday when 29-year-old Dr. Mahnoor Nasir was assaulted at the Civil Hospital by another employee, identified by police as Humayun Shah. Following the attack, Dr. Nasir was shifted to Karachi for specialized care at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Hospital sources disclosed that while she is in stable condition, she has developed bilateral corneal opacities—scarring on the clear surface of the eyes. However, her vision remains preserved, and specialized plastic surgeons and ophthalmologists are overseeing her treatment.
A hospital ward boy, Abdul Razzaq, also sustained burn injuries while rushing to aid Dr. Nasir during the assault. Razzaq was recently discharged from a private medical facility in Quetta after receiving treatment for his injuries.
Political Response and Honors for Bravery
The heinous attack drew widespread condemnation from regional and national political figures. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti traveled to Karachi to review Dr. Nasir’s care and announced that a civil award would be conferred on Abdul Razzaq for his extraordinary courage and dedication.
Similarly, MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemned the attack and requested President Asif Ali Zardari to confer the country’s highest civilian award on Razzaq for his selfless gallantry. Other senior leaders, including Senate Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan and Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal, strongly denounced the assault, with Mengal stating that such acts completely violate the traditions and values of Balochistan.
YDA Demands and Protests
During a press conference on Sunday, YDA leadership expressed deep outrage and linked the security lapse to the privatization of hospital management and security systems. The association also voiced skepticism regarding the police encounter that resulted in the death of the suspect, arguing that law enforcement should have arrested him alive to unearth the full facts behind the assault.
The YDA has presented a four-point charter of demands to the provincial government, making the resumption of standard hospital operations entirely conditional upon their full implementation.
