The recent acid attack on Dr Mehnoor Nasir has deeply shocked and saddened the public. In Pakistan, countless students, particularly young women, aspire to become doctors. They devote years of hard work and sacrifice to achieve this goal, while their families invest significant financial and emotional resources in supporting their education.
After completing her MBBS, Dr Mehnoor Nasir pursued postgraduate studies to further her career and serve the medical profession. Tragically, while working at a hospital in Quetta, she became the victim of a brutal acid attack allegedly carried out by a lift operator. This heinous act not only inflicted severe injuries on the victim but also sent shockwaves through society.
The courage of the hospital staff member who tried to rescue Dr Mehnoor also deserves recognition. He sustained burn injuries during the incident and required medical treatment himself.
Following the attack, Dr Mehnoor was airlifted to a private hospital in Karachi for specialised treatment. Reports indicate that financial assistance was arranged to facilitate her care. While every effort should be made to save lives, this incident also highlights the difficulties faced by less privileged patients who lack access to similar medical facilities and financial support.
Although the alleged attacker has been arrested and the case has received widespread media attention, a thorough and transparent investigation is essential. Mobile phone records, CCTV footage, digital evidence and other relevant material should be examined to determine whether anyone else aided, abetted or facilitated the crime. Any accomplice found guilty must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
A matter of grave concern is the easy availability of acid without adequate regulatory controls. The sale, purchase, storage and distribution of corrosive substances should be subject to a strict licensing and monitoring system. Acid should be sold only to authorised individuals after proper verification of identity and a legitimate purpose. Detailed records of purchasers should be maintained, and severe penalties imposed for illegal sale or misuse.
The increasing number of acid attacks highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation and stricter enforcement. The government must take immediate steps to regulate the sale of corrosive substances, strengthen law enforcement and ensure exemplary punishment for offenders to deter such barbaric crimes and protect the lives and dignity of citizens.
Protecting human life and dignity is a constitutional obligation of the State, and every possible measure must be taken to eradicate this menace from society.
ADVOCATE RIAZ ALI PANHWAR,
Hyderabad.
