Doctors’ Safety Incident in Quetta a Serious Attack on Rule of Law, Says PkNAP Leadership

QUETTA: Leaders of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkNAP) have strongly condemned the alleged incident involving Dr. Mahnoor Nasser, terming it a serious attack on the medical profession, women’s safety, and the rule of law.

PkNAP Central Secretary Saheba Barech and Provincial Secretary for Women and Human Rights and former MPA Arifa Siddiq said the incident was not merely an individual case but a reflection of broader concerns regarding the protection of professionals, human dignity, and women’s rights in the province.

Speaking during a visit to a protest camp established by the Young Doctors Association at Civil Hospital Quetta, the leaders expressed solidarity with the protesting doctors and assured support for their demands. The camp was attended by a large number of doctors, medical staff, women activists, civil society members, and people from different walks of life.

Arifa Siddiq said the alleged incident raises serious questions about women’s safety and the security of professionals in society. She stated that if a doctor, who works day and night to save lives, feels unsafe, it increases concerns for ordinary citizens as well. She stressed that harassment, violence, and insecurity against women are unacceptable in any civilised society and urged state institutions to fulfill their responsibilities.

She further highlighted that doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff have always served the public under extremely difficult conditions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies, often risking their own lives. However, she said the same professionals are now facing insecurity, harassment, and administrative negligence, which requires urgent government attention.

Saheba Barech said the development and prosperity of any society depend on the level of protection and freedom available to women, doctors, teachers, journalists, and other professionals. She warned that insecurity among these groups has negative consequences for society as a whole and urged authorities to treat the issue as a serious human rights concern rather than an isolated incident.

The leaders demanded a transparent, impartial, and immediate investigation into the incident through the superior judiciary, strict punishment for those responsible, and full justice for the affected doctor. They also called for effective and long-term measures to ensure the protection of medical staff in both public and private hospitals across the province.

They reaffirmed that PkNAP has always stood for human rights, women’s dignity, social justice, and the rule of law, and will continue to raise its voice against injustice, harassment, and violations of rights.

The statement concluded with a call to the provincial government, health department, administration, and law enforcement agencies to take immediate and effective steps to ensure a safe environment for women, doctors, and other professionals in order to restore public trust in state institutions and strengthen the rule of law.