On July 8, 2025, Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar was found deceased in her residence in the Ittehad Commercial Area of Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Her body, discovered by Gizri Police with the assistance of a court-appointed bailiff, was in a highly decomposed state, almost skeletal, indicating that she had passed away months earlier. The discovery was made while executing a court order related to unpaid rent dating back to April 2024, as per an ARY News report.
Initially, authorities saw no signs of foul play. The apartment’s doors—both main and balcony—were locked from the inside, and there were no visible indications of forced entry. This led investigators to believe her death was not suspicious at first glance, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector General ( DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, to Arab News.
A Citizen’s Petition Changes the Course
Despite the early assumption of a natural or accidental death, the narrative took a sharp turn when a citizen named Shahzaib Sohail submitted a legal petition in Karachi’s City Court. ARY News reported that his application challenged the initial findings and insisted that Humaira had been murdered. Sohail demanded that the actress’s family be formally involved in the inquiry and cited alleged video footage from the apartment, along with references to her estranged relationship with her family. These claims prompted the court to instruct police officials to treat the matter as a potential homicide case.
Police Response and Initial Findings
DIG South Asad Raza confirmed that upon entering the apartment, the lack of forced entry remained a critical point—reinforcing their belief that Humaira had not been attacked by an intruder. However, the long silence from Humaira’s social circle and family—who had not reached out to police even after her body was discovered—raised new concerns. Authorities speculated that the disconnect and her isolation could hold crucial clues.
Examination of Digital Evidence
To understand the circumstances leading to Humaira’s death, police recovered and accessed three mobile phones and a tablet belonging to the late actress. Passwords to these devices were reportedly retrieved from a personal diary found in her home. However, her laptop remains inaccessible as of the latest update.
Analysis of the retrieved devices is ongoing, with law enforcement officials hoping to find clues about her final days. In addition to digital analysis, statements have been recorded from two people who were in contact with her. Investigators have also summoned the building’s security guard, cleaning staff, her gym trainer, and employees of a beauty salon she frequently visited to collect further background information.
Questions Around the Murder Petition
As the police continued their inquiry, another twist emerged. As per an ARY News report, the murder petition submitted by Shahzaib Sohail was found to have been lodged using a phone number registered under a fictitious identity. The mobile SIM used was traced to an elderly woman residing in a rural area, who confirmed she had never authorized such use. This revelation cast significant doubt over the authenticity of the original complaint. Authorities are still investigating the petition’s motives, though they maintain no evidence of homicide has been uncovered thus far.
An Interview Offers a Glimpse into Humaira’s Life
In her final public appearance before her death, Humaira Asghar was featured on the podcast 'Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt.' She opened up about her family, mentioning that she had two brothers and two sisters and was the youngest among them. She recalled fondly how her parents had met while serving in the Pakistan Army. Her father, originally from Srinagar in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak War but chose early retirement due to the stress of frequent relocations. Her mother hailed from Kasur, Punjab, and remained a homemaker.
Humaira described her parents as initially hesitant about her decision to relocate from Lahore to Karachi but shared that they eventually came to support her career in the entertainment industry.
The Viral Voice Note
A haunting voice message has resurfaced following Humaira’s death, reportedly sent to her close friend Dureshehwar in September 2023. In the audio, Humaira expresses joy at her friend’s pilgrimage to Makkah and requests heartfelt prayers for her career and well-being. The tone is affectionate and hopeful, contrasting starkly with the tragedy that would later unfold. This message gained traction on social media and added a humanizing element to the public’s perception of the actress’s last months.
" Mere liye bohot saari, please… apni cutie si dost/behen ke liye bohot saari dil se dua karna. For my career, dua me zarur yaad rakhna. Mere liye bohot saari tumhe dua karni hai..." she said in the clip. (Please pray a lot for me… Pray a lot from your heart for your cute friend/sister. For my career, please remember me in your prayers. You have to pray a lot for me.)
Post-Mortem Results and Time of Death
Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed conducted the autopsy and verified that Humaira’s body had deteriorated significantly by the time it was found. Internal organs were no longer intact, and only skeletal remains remained, complicating the determination of her exact cause of death.
Mobile phone data revealed that her last outgoing call was made in October 2024. This aligns with eyewitness accounts from neighbors who mentioned they had not seen her since September or October of that year. Significantly, the only other apartment on her floor had remained vacant until February 2025, explaining why the smell of decomposition was not detected earlier.
Utility records further supported the timeline. Her electricity was disconnected in October 2024 due to unpaid bills, indicating that she may have died around the time of the final bill payment and the power cut-off. Food items in her kitchen were found expired, and jars had rusted—evidence that her death had indeed gone unnoticed for nearly nine months
Delay in Claiming the Body
In the days following the discovery of her remains, there was an unsettling delay in the family's response. For some time, no relatives came forward to claim Humaira's body. Eventually, her brother reached out to authorities and made arrangements for her funeral. This delay only fueled public speculation regarding her personal relationships and possible estrangement from her family, as per a Geo News report.
Remembering the Artist
While her tragic death remains surrounded by unanswered questions, Humaira Asghar was known for her diverse creative talents. Apart from her acting roles in projects such as the ARY reality series 'Tamasha Ghar' and the 2015 film 'Jalaibee' she also identified as a sculptor, painter, theatre performer, and fitness enthusiast. Her Instagram profile, followed by over 713,000 users, reflected a passionate and multi-faceted individual who deeply valued artistic expression.
Her unexpected passing and the disturbing delay in discovering her death have left her fans and the Pakistani entertainment industry in shock. While the investigation continues, her legacy as an artist and the tragic mystery of her final days continue to evoke deep emotion.
Initially, authorities saw no signs of foul play. The apartment’s doors—both main and balcony—were locked from the inside, and there were no visible indications of forced entry. This led investigators to believe her death was not suspicious at first glance, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector General ( DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, to Arab News.
A Citizen’s Petition Changes the Course
Despite the early assumption of a natural or accidental death, the narrative took a sharp turn when a citizen named Shahzaib Sohail submitted a legal petition in Karachi’s City Court. ARY News reported that his application challenged the initial findings and insisted that Humaira had been murdered. Sohail demanded that the actress’s family be formally involved in the inquiry and cited alleged video footage from the apartment, along with references to her estranged relationship with her family. These claims prompted the court to instruct police officials to treat the matter as a potential homicide case.
Police Response and Initial Findings
DIG South Asad Raza confirmed that upon entering the apartment, the lack of forced entry remained a critical point—reinforcing their belief that Humaira had not been attacked by an intruder. However, the long silence from Humaira’s social circle and family—who had not reached out to police even after her body was discovered—raised new concerns. Authorities speculated that the disconnect and her isolation could hold crucial clues.
Examination of Digital Evidence
To understand the circumstances leading to Humaira’s death, police recovered and accessed three mobile phones and a tablet belonging to the late actress. Passwords to these devices were reportedly retrieved from a personal diary found in her home. However, her laptop remains inaccessible as of the latest update.
Analysis of the retrieved devices is ongoing, with law enforcement officials hoping to find clues about her final days. In addition to digital analysis, statements have been recorded from two people who were in contact with her. Investigators have also summoned the building’s security guard, cleaning staff, her gym trainer, and employees of a beauty salon she frequently visited to collect further background information.
Questions Around the Murder Petition
As the police continued their inquiry, another twist emerged. As per an ARY News report, the murder petition submitted by Shahzaib Sohail was found to have been lodged using a phone number registered under a fictitious identity. The mobile SIM used was traced to an elderly woman residing in a rural area, who confirmed she had never authorized such use. This revelation cast significant doubt over the authenticity of the original complaint. Authorities are still investigating the petition’s motives, though they maintain no evidence of homicide has been uncovered thus far.
An Interview Offers a Glimpse into Humaira’s Life
In her final public appearance before her death, Humaira Asghar was featured on the podcast 'Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt.' She opened up about her family, mentioning that she had two brothers and two sisters and was the youngest among them. She recalled fondly how her parents had met while serving in the Pakistan Army. Her father, originally from Srinagar in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak War but chose early retirement due to the stress of frequent relocations. Her mother hailed from Kasur, Punjab, and remained a homemaker.
Humaira described her parents as initially hesitant about her decision to relocate from Lahore to Karachi but shared that they eventually came to support her career in the entertainment industry.
The Viral Voice Note
A haunting voice message has resurfaced following Humaira’s death, reportedly sent to her close friend Dureshehwar in September 2023. In the audio, Humaira expresses joy at her friend’s pilgrimage to Makkah and requests heartfelt prayers for her career and well-being. The tone is affectionate and hopeful, contrasting starkly with the tragedy that would later unfold. This message gained traction on social media and added a humanizing element to the public’s perception of the actress’s last months.
" Mere liye bohot saari, please… apni cutie si dost/behen ke liye bohot saari dil se dua karna. For my career, dua me zarur yaad rakhna. Mere liye bohot saari tumhe dua karni hai..." she said in the clip. (Please pray a lot for me… Pray a lot from your heart for your cute friend/sister. For my career, please remember me in your prayers. You have to pray a lot for me.)
Post-Mortem Results and Time of Death
Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed conducted the autopsy and verified that Humaira’s body had deteriorated significantly by the time it was found. Internal organs were no longer intact, and only skeletal remains remained, complicating the determination of her exact cause of death.
Mobile phone data revealed that her last outgoing call was made in October 2024. This aligns with eyewitness accounts from neighbors who mentioned they had not seen her since September or October of that year. Significantly, the only other apartment on her floor had remained vacant until February 2025, explaining why the smell of decomposition was not detected earlier.
Utility records further supported the timeline. Her electricity was disconnected in October 2024 due to unpaid bills, indicating that she may have died around the time of the final bill payment and the power cut-off. Food items in her kitchen were found expired, and jars had rusted—evidence that her death had indeed gone unnoticed for nearly nine months
Delay in Claiming the Body
In the days following the discovery of her remains, there was an unsettling delay in the family's response. For some time, no relatives came forward to claim Humaira's body. Eventually, her brother reached out to authorities and made arrangements for her funeral. This delay only fueled public speculation regarding her personal relationships and possible estrangement from her family, as per a Geo News report.
Remembering the Artist
While her tragic death remains surrounded by unanswered questions, Humaira Asghar was known for her diverse creative talents. Apart from her acting roles in projects such as the ARY reality series 'Tamasha Ghar' and the 2015 film 'Jalaibee' she also identified as a sculptor, painter, theatre performer, and fitness enthusiast. Her Instagram profile, followed by over 713,000 users, reflected a passionate and multi-faceted individual who deeply valued artistic expression.
Her unexpected passing and the disturbing delay in discovering her death have left her fans and the Pakistani entertainment industry in shock. While the investigation continues, her legacy as an artist and the tragic mystery of her final days continue to evoke deep emotion.
You may also like
30 pc STEM graduates in India likely to join AI-enabled workforce by FY26 end: Report
National Sports Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament in Monsoon Session
From Crispy Samosas to Sweet Jalebis: Varieties, Ingredients, and Health Concerns
Health ministry asks ministries, departments to display oil, sugar content in Indian snacks
Tata Technologies' Q1 net profit falls 9.8 pc sequentially, revenue slips
