The family of deceased actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali has arrived in Karachi to receive her body, days after it remained unclaimed in a cold storage facility.
The development comes amid widespread public outcry and growing support for the dignified burial of the young woman whose lonely death has become a national conversation on societal neglect.
According to sources, Humaira’s brother and brother-in-law met with senior police officials at the SSP South Office in Karachi on Thursday. An official letter from the relevant police station is expected to be issued soon, authorizing the family to take custody of her remains.
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Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also stepped in to ensure Humaira Asghar is laid to rest with respect and dignity, offering full support for her funeral arrangements if her family chooses not to proceed.
“Like every other citizen of Sindh, I am also the brother of Humaira Asghar,” the governor said during a media talk in Karachi. “If her family does not wish to attend the funeral, I am here to take responsibility.”
Governor Tesori added that he had instructed the imam outside the Governor House to lead Humaira’s funeral prayers and personally pledged to cover all costs related to the funeral and burial.
“This is not just about one girl -- it is a question for our entire society,” he said. “How can a daughter’s body remain unclaimed for days? We must recognize and respect the honor of our mothers, sisters, and daughters.”
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The body of Humaira Asghar, a model and actress, was discovered in her residence in Karachi, reportedly months after her death. For two days, her remains were kept in Chhipa Welfare’s cold storage, unclaimed and unvisited. The situation sparked a wave of criticism over growing social indifference and the isolation many people—especially women—face in urban settings.
Earlier, the Sindh Culture and Tourism Department had also stepped forward, announcing that it would take responsibility for her burial.
Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah confirmed that if the deceased’s parents or immediate blood relatives continue to refuse accepting the body, the department will consider itself Humaira’s heir and proceed with her burial. A formal letter has already been sent by the Sindh culture secretary to the DIG South, requesting the handover of the body for funeral arrangements.
The secretary, in his letter to the DIG South, requested the handover of Humaira Asghar’s body, stating that she is not an abandoned individual. "The case of Humaira Asghar is deeply saddening and heartbreaking," the letter noted. The culture department will take full responsibility for all stages of the process, including the burial and cemetery arrangements.
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"Our first effort is that the parents agree and receive the body," said Zulfiqar Ali Shah. “But if not, we will fulfil our moral and social responsibility to ensure she is laid to rest with dignity.”
