The late Pakistani model and actress Humaira Asghar Ali was laid to rest in Lahore on Friday, following the discovery of her decomposed body earlier this week in a Karachi apartment. Her funeral took place in Model Town and was attended by only a small group of people. Reports indicate that Humaira had been estranged from her family, who initially hesitated to claim her body.
According to police investigations, there were no signs of foul play surrounding her death. Her remains were found after the landlord filed a complaint over months of unpaid rent, as reported by Arab News. Investigators revealed that her body was likely around nine months old. “She most probably died sometime between paying her last utility bills and when her electricity was disconnected in October 2024,” they stated. The apartment showed clear signs of neglect — rusted jars, expired food, and an unkempt environment.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Syed Asad Raza, confirmed to the press that Humaira’s last phone call was traced to October 2024, according to her Call Detail Record (CDR). This information aligns with the estimated time of death based on the post-mortem examination. Neighbours did not notice anything unusual, largely because the adjacent apartment was vacant and the balcony door was left open.
Humaira’s brother, Naveed Asghar, travelled to Karachi to retrieve her body. “We have come here and, after fulfilling all legal procedures, received the body,” he said. He also revealed that the family had grown distant from Humaira over the years. “That’s why my father said that if there’s any emergency, she can be buried there [in Karachi],” he explained. Humaira had reportedly not visited her family in nearly seven years.
The post-mortem report has been submitted to the authorities, but due to the extent of decomposition, the coroner could not confirm the exact cause of death. “We are still waiting for chemical and histopathological tests. However, there is no immediate evidence suggesting foul play,” police stated on Saturday.
In the months leading up to her death, Humaira had withdrawn from social media and ceased phone communications. This silence contributed to the delayed discovery of her passing, adding to the tragic nature of the incident.