Humaira Asghar Ali’s Brother Refutes Claims Family Refused to Claim Her Body
KARACHI: The family of late model and actor Humaira Asghar Ali has spoken out following widespread reports suggesting they refused to claim her body after it was found in her apartment in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA).
Earlier this week, police discovered Humaira’s partially decomposed body during a court-ordered eviction. Authorities believe she may have passed away around eight months ago, based on expired food in the refrigerator and mobile phone activity dating back to September 2024.
Initial media reports claimed her family had declined to accept the body, prompting public outcry and intervention by the Sindh Culture Department and members of the entertainment community.
Family Responds: “We Never Refused”
In a recent statement to the media, Naveed Asghar, Humaira’s brother, rejected reports that the family abandoned her.
“The body was with the police as part of their investigation. We had been in contact with police and welfare services for several days,” Naveed said, adding that the delay was due to legal formalities, not negligence.
He clarified that his parents were grieving the recent loss of another close relative, and that the family was waiting for DNA confirmation before receiving the body.
“Due to the condition of the body, we were unable to transport it immediately,” he said.
Naveed also expressed disappointment in the media’s coverage, saying the focus was unfairly placed on the family rather than exploring other possible causes of death.
A Private Life and Distant Contact
Humaira, who had been living independently in Karachi for the past seven years, reportedly did not keep regular contact with her family. According to Naveed, she hadn’t communicated with them in over a year, despite their attempts to reach her.
“Our mother tried to contact her, but her phone had been off for six months. We had no way of tracing her.”
He urged authorities to consider mandatory CCTV installations in rental properties to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Outpouring of Support from Authorities and Celebrities
Amid reports that the body remained unclaimed, the Sindh Culture Department issued a statement offering to manage Humaira’s burial and funeral arrangements out of respect for her contributions to arts and culture.
“It is deeply saddening to see a contributor to our culture not given a dignified farewell,” said Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
Several celebrities also stepped forward. Actors Yashma Gill and Sonya Hussayn were among those who expressed willingness to arrange the burial. The Actors Collective of Pakistan, a trade body representing local actors, stated:
“No one in our community is forgotten. We stand together — in life, loss, and remembrance.”
Moving Forward
As legal procedures near completion, Humaira’s family has confirmed they will receive her remains and conduct funeral rites in Lahore. Meanwhile, the tragic incident has sparked broader conversations around mental health, isolation, and support systems within the entertainment industry.
