Balochistan to honor ward boy who shielded doctor in Quetta acid attack

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti announced a civil award on Sunday for Abdul Razzaq Tarakai, a ward boy at Quetta's Civil Hospital who rushed to shield Dr Mahnoor Nisar during an acid attack on June 5. Tarakai sustained burn injuries during the rescue. The suspect, a hospital lift operator, was killed in a police encounter after attempting to flee.

What happened in the Quetta acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nisar?

A hospital employee allegedly threw acid on Dr Mahnoor Nisar while she was on duty at Quetta's Civil Hospital on June 5. She suffered severe burns to her face, chest, legs, and other parts of her body. CCTV footage showed Tarakai running to her aid as she emerged from a room, covering her with what appeared to be his jacket.

Who is Abdul Razzaq Tarakai and why is he receiving a civil award?

Tarakai is a ward boy at Civil Hospital Quetta who intervened during the acid attack despite sustaining burn injuries himself. CM Bugti praised him on X, saying he had displayed "extraordinary courage, humanity, and dedication." The Balochistan government is also covering all of Tarakai's medical expenses. He was discharged from a private hospital in Quetta after receiving treatment for his injuries.

Bugti also spoke to Tarakai by telephone, promising him the best possible medical treatment and an invitation to the Chief Minister House to formally recognize his actions.

Tarakai told the chief minister he was simply fulfilling his duty to help someone in a moment of need. Bugti said people like Tarakai are "assets of our society" who set an example of serving humanity in difficult circumstances.

What is Dr Mahnoor Nisar's condition after the acid attack?

Dr Nisar was transferred to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi by air ambulance after initial treatment in Quetta, where she remains under care. Hospital sources said her condition is stable. She has bilateral corneal opacities, a condition in which the transparent surface of the eye becomes scarred, but her vision has been preserved. Plastic surgery and ophthalmology specialists have examined her, and while the burns appear superficial, a detailed assessment is still pending.