CM Bugti announces civil award for hospital worker who aided doctor after acid attack

• Abdul Razzaq Tarakai hailed for courage and swift response at Civil Hospital

• Dr Mahnoor Nisar suffered burns but remains in stable condition

• Suspected attacker killed in encounter while allegedly attempting to flee

• Aseefa seeks highest civilian honour for Tarakai’s ‘selfless gallantry’

 QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Sunday announced a civil award for Abdul Razzaq Tarakai, the Civil Hospital employee who rushed to assist a female doctor moments after she came under an acid attack at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, drawing widespread praise for his courage and presence of mind.

Dr Mahnoor Nisar sustained serious injuries on Saturday when an employee of the hospital allegedly threw acid on her, according to police. She suffered burns on her face, chest, legs and other parts of her body. Doctors, however, said her eyes remained safe and her condition is stable.

Police said the suspected attacker was later killed in an encounter after law enforcement agencies traced him to an area from where he was allegedly attempting to flee by bus.

Footage of the incident circulating on social media showed Abdul Razzaq Tarakai rushing to help Dr Mahnoor as she emerged from a room following the attack. He was seen covering her with what appeared to be his jacket and assisting her in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Bugti said Tarakai had displayed “extraordinary courage, humanity and dedication” by coming to the doctor's aid and announced that he would be honoured with a civil award.

لیڈی ڈاکٹر ماہ نور ناصر پر تیزاب گردی کے افسوسناک واقعہ کے دوران غیر معمولی جرات، انسان دوستی اور فرض شناسی کا مظاہرہ کرتے ہوئے فوری مدد فراہم کرنے والے سول اسپتال کوئٹہ کے ملازم عبدالرزاق ترکئی کو سول ایوارڈ دیا جائے گا ایسے بہادر اور باہمت افراد ہمارے معاشرے کا سرمایہ ہیں جو… pic.twitter.com/k8zcg0kjbf

— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) June 7, 2026

Commending his actions, the chief minister said, “Such brave and valiant individuals are the assets of our society and set an example of serving humanity even in the most difficult circumstances.”

 Separately, MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari strongly condemned the acid attack and revealed that she had requested President Asif Ali Zardari to confer the country's highest civilian award on Tarakai in recognition of his “selfless gallantry”, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

“His timely and courageous intervention not only saved a precious life but also stands as an inspiring example of humanity for the entire nation,” she was quoted as saying.

Aseefa also stressed that violence against women has no place in society and should be dealt with through the full force of the law.

“The relevant authorities must ensure that such incidents are curbed in the future,” she said.

Following initial treatment in Quetta, Dr Mahnoor was shifted to Karachi and is currently receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

Hospital sources told Dawn that her condition remains stable. They said she has bilateral corneal opacities — a condition in which the transparent surface of the eyes becomes scarred — but her vision remains preserved.

The sources added that consultations had been conducted with plastic surgeons and ophthalmologists, while a detailed medical assessment was still underway. Initial examinations suggested that the burns appeared superficial.

Meanwhile, Tarakai was discharged from a private hospital in Quetta after receiving treatment for burn injuries sustained while assisting the doctor.