Balochistan’s government spokesperson for interior affairs, Babar Khan Yousafzai, suggested on Sunday that the acid assault on Dr Mah Noor at Quetta’s Civil Hospital might have been provoked after the doctor allegedly reprimanded the attacker. This statement came amid ongoing protests by young doctors demanding enhanced security and an independent investigation into the incident.
Yousafzai told the media that no evidence had been found indicating harassment as the motive behind the attack. He proposed that Dr Mah Noor may have scolded the suspect, Humayun Shah, which could have triggered the violent response. The spokesperson further stated that the accused had reportedly attempted to violate the doctor’s dignity and was killed shortly after the attack during a police operation conducted within thirty minutes.
The minister confirmed that Dr Mah Noor was transferred to Karachi for medical treatment and assured that no major organs were damaged. He urged medical professionals to exercise restraint and avoid disrupting healthcare services through strikes or boycotts.
Meanwhile, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) organized a protest rally starting from Civil Hospital Quetta and concluding outside the Quetta Press Club. Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans criticizing the hospital administration and the provincial health department. Following the march, young doctors and paramedical staff held a sit-in at the press club.
Addressing the demonstrators, YDA President Dr Hayee Baloch called for the dismissal of the health secretary and the hospital’s medical superintendent. He highlighted the severe security challenges faced by healthcare workers in government hospitals and accused authorities of neglecting these persistent issues. Dr Baloch warned that protests would persist until effective security arrangements were put in place for medical personnel.
In response, Yousafzai stated that he had been in communication with YDA representatives since Saturday night. He announced that Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti would meet with the doctors upon his return to Quetta on Tuesday. The minister emphasized the need for unity and cautioned against politicizing the matter. He questioned whether boycotting hospital services would solve the problem, warning that patients would ultimately suffer from such actions.
The government expressed willingness to address the legitimate concerns of the medical community. However, Yousafzai clarified that hospital administrations are primarily responsible for security inside hospital premises, while police are tasked with maintaining security outside. The acid attack on Dr Mah Noor has raised significant alarm among healthcare workers across Balochistan, reigniting discussions about workplace safety in public hospitals and the protection of medical staff.
