The brother of actor Humaira Asghar Ali, whose decomposed body was discovered in her Karachi DHA Phase 6 apartment earlier this week, has denied reports of estrangement from the family and called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Humaira’s brother, Naveed Asghar, arrived in Karachi from Lahore and was handed over her body on Thursday after completing legal formalities. He contacted the police to initiate the required paperwork, following which Chhipa Foundation transferred the body to the family.
Speaking to the media, Asghar dismissed reports that the family had disowned Humaira.
“My sister was self-reliant. May Allah forgive her and ease her journey,” he said. “It is incorrect to say we severed ties with her. For the past three days, we had been in touch with the police and Chhipa to coordinate the body’s release.”
Asghar explained that a recent tragedy in the family had delayed their response. “We lost our younger paternal aunt in a traffic accident, and my parents were already distressed. When Humaira’s death was reported, my father, overwhelmed, gave a statement about her burial which was misunderstood.”
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He said that Humaira had entered the showbiz industry independently. “She was her own person. Our parents, like any others, had concerns and would ask questions, but it’s a natural part of being responsible guardians.”
Asghar revealed there had been no contact with Humaira for nearly a year. “The last time my mother spoke to her, she asked about her residence, but Humaira didn’t share anything. For the last six months, her phone was off. We tried to locate her several times but failed.”
Asghar also expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death, calling for a transparent investigation into his sister’s death. "Instead of speculating about our family, the media should question the landlord. How was the door opened? Why didn’t the landlord check on her earlier? We want a transparent investigation. The medical reports will eventually reveal the truth."
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Questioning the lack of security measures at the residence where his sister used to live, he said, "Why weren’t there any CCTV cameras in the building? If there had been cameras, much would be clear by now. My mother is under immense mental stress due to false and insensitive reporting."
Earlier, SSP South Mahzoor Ali confirmed that the actor’s brother and brother-in-law had arrived in Karachi to collect the body, which was to be taken to Lahore, where Humaira had lived in Green Town.
According to SSP Ali, police had not identified any suspects in connection with her death. He said Humaira had not been in contact with anyone since October 2024.
The flat from which her body was recovered is located in a building with two apartments on each floor. Neighbours in the adjacent flat had only returned from abroad in February 2025, which may explain why the foul smell went unnoticed for an extended period.
He added that Humaira typically initiated contact with her family, who, he noted, had not maintained consistent communication with her in recent times.
Also Read: The tragic death of Humaira Asghar leaves Pakistani entertainment industry grieving
Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed and SHO Gizri Farooq Sanjrani confirmed that a DNA sample was collected from Asghar to conclusively identify the body, although initial confirmation was based on circumstantial evidence. The results of the chemical analysis in the postmortem report are awaited.
Moreover, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announced that he would bear the costs of her funeral and burial — an offer that had also been made earlier by the Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
In a statement, he said Humaira was “not abandoned or alone” and that “like all citizens of Sindh, she was my sister.” “This is not just about one individual,” he added. “It’s a reflection on us as a society when a young woman’s body lies unclaimed. We must uphold the dignity of our mothers, sisters, and daughters.”
Humaira, who is survived by two brothers and two sisters, had reportedly been out of public view for months before being found dead in her apartment.
Her body was discovered after her landlord, accompanied by police, attempted to evict her over unpaid rent. The door was found locked from the inside, and her body was recovered in an advanced state of decomposition
Police recovered two mobile phones from the scene, which have been sent for forensic analysis. Investigators are also looking into the possibility of a third device, as no activity has been detected since October last year.
Authorities have not recovered any suspicious CCTV footage from the building. The investigation remains ongoing.
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