Opinion | A Doctor Who Chose to Heal, Yet Became a Victim of Violence

Dr Mahnoor, a devoted doctor, after studying medicine and giving up all her comforts, became a doctor to fulfil her lifelong dream. Every successful woman who becomes a professional goes through a tough time in life while being patient and hardworking. Dr Mahnoor became a doctor to serve humanity.

Every morning, she entered the hospital with the purpose of helping people in pain. Giving comfort to families who were worried about their loved ones, and providing care to those who needed medical attention.

A hospital is supposed to be a place of healing. It is a place where doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers dedicate their lives to helping others. People enter hospitals seeking treatment, hope, and relief from suffering. No one expects a doctor to become a victim while performing her duty.

Yet that is exactly what happened.

Today, Dr Mahnoor became the victim of an acid attack inside a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan. Instead of receiving protection while serving society, she suffered violence while carrying out her professional responsibilities. The incident has shocked many people and raised serious concerns about the safety of women and healthcare professionals.

This attack is not only about one doctor.

It is not only about one hospital.

It is not only about one city.

It is a much larger issue.

The attack on Dr Mahnoor is an attack on every woman who is trying to build a career through education and hard work. It is an attack on every doctor who spends long hours caring for patients. It is an attack on the belief that workplaces should be safe for those who dedicate themselves to serving others.

Doctors already have an immense workload pressure. They face emergencies, tough times, and stressful situations daily. Most of them sleep away from their families. Many of them miss special occasions due to the demands of their patients. Still, they keep contributing to society.

When a doctor is attacked inside a hospital, it sends a disturbing message. If those who save lives are not safe, then who is?

This incident also poses serious issues concerning the safety of women in the workplace. In various sectors, women contribute to society in roles such as educators, physicians, journalists, engineers, researchers, and bureaucrats. They struggle for their success and their family’s welfare. These women work hard for their aspirations and family; however, many of them are exposed to violence

A woman should not have to worry about her safety while doing her job.

She should not have to choose between her career and her security.

She should not have to fear violence simply because she wants to contribute to society.

Unfortunately, incidents like this show that there is still a long way to go.

Whenever such incidents happen, there are expressions of frustration and sorrow. There are sympathetic posts all over social media, and news channels talk about it for a couple of days. But then their focus moves somewhere else, leaving behind the one who was affected.

Physical injuries may heal with time, but emotional wounds often take much longer.

The attack on Dr Mahnoor also reminds us of a broader reality. Violence against women remains a serious concern in many parts of the world. Whether it is harassment, domestic violence, forced marriages, honour-related crimes, or acid attacks, the result is the same: women suffer while society debates.

A society cannot progress if half of its population lives in fear.

Development is not measured only through roads, buildings, or technology. It is also measured by how safely women can study, work, travel, and live their lives.

Pakistan often presents itself as a country working toward peace, development, and progress. But incidents involving violence against women raise difficult questions. What does progress mean if women do not feel safe? What does development mean if workplaces are not secure? What does peace mean when women continue to become victims of violence?

According to global gender-gap reports, Pakistan continues to rank among the lowest countries in terms of gender equality. These rankings are not merely numbers. They reflect the real challenges women face every day. Behind every statistic is a story, a struggle, and a human being trying to live with dignity.

Dr Mahnoor’s attack is not something that should be forgotten just because there has been a discussion about it for a couple of days now. It should serve as a point of contemplation. There should be accountability. The society should not have a mindset where violence towards women is tolerated.

Most importantly, society must recognize that protecting women is not only a women’s issue. It is a human issue. It is a social responsibility.

Dr Mahnoor entered the medical profession to heal others. She chose a path of service and compassion. No doctor should face violence while treating patients. No woman should become a victim while performing her duty.

Her story is painful, but it should also serve as a reminder that safety, dignity, and respect are not privileges. They are basic rights that every person deserves.

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