PMA demands judicial probe into acid attack on Dr Mahnoor

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Quetta Zone has strongly denounced the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Naseer at Civil Hospital Quetta and called for an independent judicial inquiry to uncover the facts and ensure transparency.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday, PMA Quetta Zone General Secretary Dr Shoaib Baloch, accompanied by other office-bearers, urged the government to guarantee the safety and security of doctors, paramedics, and hospital staff across the province.

Dr Baloch also criticized what he described as punitive measures against healthcare professionals protesting for justice, saying the use of administrative powers and disciplinary actions to silence doctors was unacceptable.

He emphasized that the medical community’s movement was not driven by personal or political interests but by demands for justice for Dr Mahnoor Naseer, improved security for healthcare workers, transparent investigations, institutional reforms, and accountability within the health sector.

According to Dr Baloch, the attack on Dr Mahnoor was not only an assault on an individual doctor but also an attack on the medical profession, women’s safety, and the healthcare system as a whole.

Referring to the incident at the Surgical Complex of Civil Hospital Quetta, which includes five wards and three operating theatres, he noted that standard security procedures required the deployment of seven to eight guards for each ward and operating theatre. However, he alleged that no security personnel were present after the attack, raising serious concerns about administrative negligence and security failures.

The PMA further claimed that most CCTV cameras at the hospital were either damaged or non-functional. Footage related to the attack was reportedly obtained only from cameras installed by the Orthopaedic Ward through its own resources.

The association demanded an immediate, impartial, and independent judicial investigation into the attack. It also called for the withdrawal of all show-cause notices, suspensions, and other disciplinary actions taken against doctors and healthcare workers involved in the protests.

Additionally, the PMA urged authorities to implement comprehensive security measures to protect doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and other healthcare staff working in government hospitals throughout Balochistan.