Burial
The family of actress and model Humaira Asghar, whose decomposed body was found in her DHA Karachi apartment, has officially claimed her remains and announced that her burial will take place in Lahore.
Speaking to the media alongside Ramzan Chhipa, head of Chhipa Welfare, Humaira’s brother Naveed Asghar addressed earlier reports that the family had refused to claim the body, calling such claims false. He explained that the family had been in contact with both Chhipa and the police for three days, following all legal procedures before arriving in Karachi to take custody of Humaira’s remains.
Naveed clarified that there was no estrangement within the family, acknowledging only minor tensions that are normal in any household. He emphasized that the family was never out of touch and that their father had never refused to receive Humaira’s body.
He explained that after her phone was switched off, the family simply lost contact. Naveed described Humaira as an independent woman who lived life on her own terms, adding that the last time they spoke with her was over a year ago.
He expressed frustration with irresponsible media coverage, criticizing the press for not asking key questions about the circumstances of her death, such as whether the flat was locked from inside or if CCTV footage existed. He also highlighted issues surrounding the apartment’s security and the building owner’s role.
The emotional toll on the family was heightened due to a recent tragedy—the death of their aunt in a road accident. Naveed said the calls about Humaira’s death only compounded their grief. The family confirmed they have taken possession of the body and will conduct the funeral in Lahore once postmortem and forensic reports are completed.
Meanwhile, SSP South Syed Mashhoor Ali confirmed that Humaira’s body had been handed over to her brother and brother-in-law after all legal formalities were fulfilled. The SSP refuted earlier claims that the family was disconnected from Humaira, stating they had maintained contact.
According to police, there was no evidence of drug use, and initial findings suggested that the body had remained inside the apartment for about eight months. The apartment was locked from the inside and had to be forcibly opened.
Call Data Records and utility bills supported this timeline, with the last phone activity and expired food dated back to October. The electricity was disconnected due to non-payment, and the final rent payment was made in May. Digital forensic analysis is underway on password-protected items recovered from the apartment.
Notably, no neighbors or family members had reported Humaira missing, which contributed to the delayed discovery of her death. The building, housing two apartments per floor, had neighbors in the adjoining unit who had been abroad until February 2025. Their absence and the lack of any noticeable odor led to the body’s decomposition going unnoticed.
The Sindh government had earlier announced its willingness to take responsibility for Humaira’s burial if her family did not come forward. Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah instructed the Director General of Culture to coordinate with the police for funeral arrangements and sent a formal letter to DIG East stating that the Culture Department would assume legal guardianship if necessary. Minister Shah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the need to bury Humaira with dignity.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori pledged to cover all funeral expenses and vowed to lead the funeral prayers personally if the family chose not to proceed. He stressed that the incident was not only the state’s responsibility but a societal wake-up call, highlighting the importance of respecting and honoring daughters. Tessori described the failure to bury a young woman with dignity as a moment of national shame.
The case has raised serious questions regarding the timeline and circumstances of Humaira’s death. Initial reports suggested the body had been in the apartment for 20 days, but police later estimated it had been decomposing for over six months.
The postmortem revealed advanced decay, including tissue disintegration, and no blood samples could be taken, deepening the mystery surrounding her untimely demise. Authorities continue to await final forensic reports to determine the exact cause and time of death.
