Acid attacks are among the most heinous and inhumane crimes, leaving victims with lifelong physical and psychological scars. Despite the horrific nature of these attacks, offenders often face minimal consequences, contributing to a dangerous culture of impunity.
In many countries, especially in South Asia, acid attacks are alarmingly prevalent, with thousands of cases reported each year. Victims, often women, are targeted for refusing marriage proposals, disputes over dowry, or personal vendettas. The intent is clear: to disfigure and diminish the spirit of the victim, leaving them to struggle with their altered appearance and the societal stigma attached.
The case of Dr. Mahnoor Nasir brings this crisis to our doorstep. On June 6, 2026, this young postgraduate surgery trainee was attacked with acid while on duty at Civil Hospital Quetta — one of Pakistan’s largest public hospitals. Her attacker was a hospital employee who had been harassing her for months. She was not in a dark alley. She was at work, serving her community. The acid burned her face, abdomen, legs, and right hand. She had to be airlifted to Karachi for emergency treatment. Her only crime was being a woman who showed up to do her job.
Current legal penalties are insufficient to deter this brutal crime. According to Acid Survivors Trust International, the conviction rate for acid attacks in some regions is as low as 9%. This lack of accountability not only fails victims — it emboldens perpetrators. Dr. Mahnoor’s attacker was killed in a police encounter. But what about the next one? And the one after that? A justice system that cannot guarantee punishment will never guarantee safety.
Introducing the death penalty for acid attackers would serve as a severe deterrent, reflecting the true gravity of the crime. It would send an unambiguous message: this act is unforgivable and will be met with the harshest consequences the law allows. It would bring justice to survivors who have endured unimaginable pain — and may provide some degree of closure to those whose lives were permanently altered.
We call upon Pakistan’s lawmakers and judicial authorities to act now. Amend the legal system. Introduce the death penalty for acid attack offenders. Make the punishment match the crime.

Why You Should Sign
 ∙ Dr. Mahnoor was attacked inside a hospital — no place is safe until the law becomes a real deterrent
 ∙ She is one of thousands — Pakistan reports hundreds of acid attack cases every year, and most go unpunished
 ∙ A 9% conviction rate means 91% of attackers walk free — your signature pressures lawmakers to change that
 ∙ This is not just about one case — it is about every woman in Pakistan who deserves to live, work, and exist without fear
 ∙ Laws change when people demand it — this petition is that demand
Sign today. Share loudly. Justice for Dr. Mahnoor — and every survivor after her.