Pakistani actress Humaira's family refuses to claim her body

Agencies,Islamabad, July 12: The sudden death of Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and ignited a broader conversation about loneliness, mental health, and dignity in death.

The 32-year-old star, known for her work in drama serials and her appearance on ARY Digital’s Tamasha Ghar, was found dead and alone in her Karachi apartment. Her final days were marked by growing isolation, unreturned calls for help, and, most distressingly, a heartbreaking rejection by her own family.

According to media reports, police traced her relatives through phone records. When they contacted her father, Dr. Asghar Ali, a retired army doctor, they were met with a cold response. He allegedly told authorities the family had severed ties with her years ago and had no intention of claiming her body.

With no family members stepping forward, the Sindh Culture Department has intervened to arrange Humaira’s funeral and burial. Meanwhile, fellow actors Yashma Gill and Sonya Hussyn have expressed grief and are reportedly supporting her final rites, offering compassion in the absence of family.

Authorities say they will make one last attempt to persuade Humaira’s relatives to take responsibility. If they continue to refuse, her body will be declared heirless and buried by the state.

The discovery of her death came during eviction proceedings initiated by her landlord over months of unpaid rent. On a local court’s order, Gizri police entered her locked apartment and found her body. Initial findings suggest no signs of foul play or forced entry, and police are awaiting the postmortem report to determine the exact cause of death.

Once a vibrant presence in the entertainment world, Humaira had reportedly become reclusive in recent months. Her appearances in notable dramas like Just Married, Chal Dil Mere, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru, and the 2015 film Jalaibee earned her recognition and admiration. Her final screen role was in the 2021 film Love Vaccine, alongside Farhan Saeed and Sonya Hussyn.

Her death—and the painful isolation surrounding it—has prompted national reflection on how society treats individuals struggling with mental health and social estrangement. Public reaction has been one of mourning, not only for the loss of a talented actress but for the deeply human tragedy of her final days.