ACID use in violent crimes has returned to national attention after a disturbing attack on a female doctor in Quetta that was captured on CCTV and widely circulated online.
The incident took place on June 5, 2026, inside a hospital where Dr. Mahnoor Nasir was allegedly attacked by a fellow employee after she reportedly rejected his advances. Hospital officials said acid was thrown on her inside the facility, affecting about 13 percent of her body. She was shifted to emergency care and is now in stable condition. The attack sparked protests from the Young Doctors Association, which demanded better security in hospitals and stronger protection for medical staff. Rights groups also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of laws against corrosive violence.
Laws Exist, but Enforcement Lags Behind: Pakistan criminalizes acid attacks under Section 336-B of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act, 2011. The law prescribes punishment ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment, along with a minimum fine of one million rupees. Offenses are non-bailable and non-compoundable. Despite these laws, enforcement remains inconsistent. Data from the Acid Survivors Foundation recorded 1,485 reported acid attack cases between 2007 and 2018, with women and children making up a large share of victims. Experts say weak prosecution, delay in trials and limited regulation of chemical sales continue to drive repeat cases.
Men and Children Victims Too: While acid attacks have long been associated with gender-based violence against women, recent cases show a broader pattern of victims. Hospital and NGO data indicate increasing incidents involving men and children alongside women. In Mandi Bahauddin, a man was attacked during a property dispute. In Rahim Yar Khan, four children were injured in an assault linked to allegations of abuse in a religious school. In Dera Ghazi Khan, a woman was attacked in a domestic conflict involving family members. Women still make up a large share of victims, particularly in disputes involving marriage proposals or domestic conflicts, while men are increasingly targeted in property and retaliation cases.
Why Is Acid Easily Accessible? A key factor driving continued acid attacks is the easy availability of corrosive substances used in industry and households. Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and battery acid are commonly sold through chemical shops, hardware stores and automotive markets. Unlike firearms, acid is cheap, easy to obtain and requires no license in many informal retail settings. In some markets, small quantities of battery acid are sold for as little as 50 rupees. Investigations show chemical markets often lack proper storage and safety protocols, with acids stored in bulk containers and handled without protective equipment.
Punjab’s Hazardous Substances Rules 2018 set requirements for labeling, storage and transport of corrosive chemicals, including clear identification and handling restrictions. However, enforcement remains uneven, especially in informal markets where monitoring is limited. While industrial buyers may face documentation requirements, retail sales of drain cleaners, battery acid and diluted sulfuric acid often occur without record keeping. Police usually register cases under criminal law and begin investigations, but conviction rates remain unclear due to weak national data systems and delays in prosecution. In many cases, suspects are arrested, but legal proceedings take years, which activists say weakens deterrence.
Survivors Facing Gaps in Medical Care and Recovery: Healthcare professionals say major gaps remain in victim support systems, including limited access to specialized burn units, reconstructive surgery and long-term psychological care, especially outside major cities. Survivors often struggle with lifelong physical and emotional scars, while many hospitals lack trained staff for complex burn treatment. However there is still some glimmer of hope.
Masarrat Misbah, through the Depilex Smileagain Foundation, has played a central role in supporting acid attack survivors in Pakistan. Established in 2005, the initiative provides reconstructive surgery support, psychological counseling, vocational training and employment opportunities. A key part of the program is integrating survivors into Depilex salons, where many are trained and employed as beauticians, helping them regain financial independence and social stability after severe burn injuries.
Experts and advocacy groups say addressing acid violence requires more than criminal penalties alone. Key recommendations include stricter licensing of acid sales, centralized tracking of chemical distribution and stronger enforcement of hazardous substance rules at retail level. Improved policing, faster trials and better coordination between provincial regulatory bodies are also considered essential. Equally important is investment in survivor rehabilitation, including medical reconstruction, psychological care and reintegration support. Without stronger enforcement and tighter control over corrosive substances, experts warn that acid attacks are likely to remain a recurring form of violence despite existing legal frameworks.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
