Humaira Asghar’s tragic death: Actress' family refuses to claim body
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Karachi: Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali was found dead under mysterious circumstances nearly two months after her death, in an apartment in Karachi’s upscale Defence Housing Society. The 32-year-old’s decomposed body was discovered last week by police executing a court order to vacate the flat.
Police officials said they are still trying to determine whether her death resulted from suicide, an accident, or foul play. The prolonged delay in discovering the body and the lack of attention from neighbours have raised serious concerns. According to officials, no one in the building reported any unusual odour or activity for over a month—a fact police described as highly unusual.
DIG South Zone Asad Reza confirmed that Humaira’s family has refused to claim her remains or conduct her burial, stating they had severed ties with her two years ago. “They have flatly refused to own her,” he said. This development has added further complexity to the investigation, both legally and emotionally.
Muhammad Aurangzeb, a spokesperson for the Chippa Welfare Trust, said, “Normally, after a few days, a body emits a foul smell. But in this case, no one noticed anything for weeks. When we were called to collect the body, it was rotting and the stench was unbearable.” The body has since been kept in cold storage, separate from others.
Police have ordered a chemical autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, and results are awaited.
This incident marks the second such case in Karachi in recent weeks. In June, 84-year-old veteran actress Ayesha Khan was also found dead in her apartment in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, days after her death went unnoticed. She, too, had been living alone.
Observers say both cases reflect the deep challenges faced by women in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, including social isolation, stigma, and estrangement from families. Humaira had worked in multiple television serials and acted in two films during her career.
Sindh’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Zulfiqar Shah, stated on Thursday that if no family member comes forward to claim Humaira’s body, the government will ensure a proper burial through the cultural department.
With PTI inputs