The family of late actress and model Humaira Asghar has finally arrived in Karachi to collect her body, days after it was discovered decomposed in her apartment and remained unclaimed in cold storage.
The family’s arrival comes amid widespread media coverage and public criticism over the lack of response from her relatives.
Speaking to the media outside the SSP South office, Humaira’s brother Naveed Asghar clarified that contrary to reports, the family had not severed ties with the actress and had remained in contact with both police and the Chhipa Welfare Association during the past three days.
“There was a wrong impression being given that the family had abandoned her or refused to receive her body. That is not true,” he said.
He further claimed that if a body is in police custody, certain legal requirements had to be completed. “We have now contacted Chhipa organisation and received the body,” Naveed added.
He added that Humaira’s phone had remained switched off for the past six months, during which she had not contacted anyone due to her frequent travels. “We had no contact with her for half a year, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t concerned. We had recently lost our paternal aunt in a road accident, and our parents were already under emotional stress,” Naveed explained.
He described the sudden calls from media outlets after Humaira’s death as a deeply distressing experience. “It was a difficult phase for us as a family,” he said.
SSP South Mahzoor Ali also spoke to the media, confirming that legal procedures were underway to hand over the body to the family.
“Her brother and brother-in-law have reached Karachi. They plan to take her body to Lahore for burial,” the SSP said, adding that the family had not raised any suspicions and were awaiting the post-mortem report.
According to the SSP, Humaira’s contact with her family was lost around October 2024. “No utility bills have been paid since then, and household items suggest she likely died around that time,” he stated.
He further revealed that the building where Humaira lived had two flats per floor. The neighbouring flat was unoccupied, as the residents were abroad and only returned in February 2025.
“That could be the reason why no one noticed the stench from the decomposing body,” Mahzoor Ali added.
He further claimed that Humaira would herself contact her family, as they did not stay in touch with her, adding that the heirs say the actress often did not contact for six months because of excessive travelling.
