The family of Humaira Asghar, the actress and model whose decomposed body was discovered in her DHA Karachi flat, has claimed her body and announced that her burial will take place in Lahore.

Speaking alongside Chhipa Welfare head Ramzan Chhipa, Humaira’s brother Naveed Asghar told reporters in Karachi that media reports suggesting the family had refused to claim the body were false. He clarified that they had been in contact with Chhipa and the police for the past three days, following proper legal procedures before arriving in Karachi.

“There was no estrangement with our sister. A little family tension exists in every household,” Naveed said, dismissing speculation that the family had severed ties. “We were never out of touch. My father never refused to receive the body. After her phone was switched off, we had no way of contacting her,” he added.

He revealed that Humaira was independent and lived on her own terms, and the family last had contact with her over a year ago. Naveed expressed disappointment at what he called “irresponsible media coverage”, saying the press failed to ask basic questions, such as whether the flat was locked from the inside or if CCTV footage was available. He also criticised the lack of attention paid to the building owner and issues surrounding the apartment’s security.

“After a recent family tragedy – our aunt’s death in a road accident – my parents were already distraught. Receiving calls about Humaira’s death added to the emotional weight,” Naveed said. He confirmed the family has now taken possession of the body and will hold her funeral in Lahore after the postmortem and forensic reports are received.

SSP South confirms body was locked inside for months

Earlier, SSP South Syed Mashhoor Ali confirmed that Humaira’s body had been handed over to her brother and brother-in-law, who had travelled from Lahore to Karachi. He stated that all legal formalities had been completed and that the family had confirmed they were in contact with Humaira, refuting earlier claims of disconnection.

The SSP said there was no evidence of drug use, and preliminary findings suggested the body had been inside the apartment for approximately 8 months. “The apartment was locked from the inside and had to be forcefully opened,” he said. He added that Call Data Records (CDR) and utility bills also supported this timeline. The last recorded phone activity and expired food items in the fridge date back to October, and the electricity was disconnected due to non-payment.

According to the SSP, the final rent payment was made in May, and no social media activity was observed after that. He confirmed that items recovered from the apartment were password-protected and had been sent for digital forensic analysis.

Mashhoor Ali also revealed that no neighbours or family members had reported Humaira missing, which contributed to the delayed discovery of her body. The building where she lived had two apartments per floor, and the residents in the neighbouring unit had only returned to Pakistan in February 2025. Due to their absence and a lack of smell, the decomposition went unnoticed.

As the investigation continues, authorities await postmortem results and digital evidence to determine the exact cause and time of Humaira Asghar’s death.

Sindh govt announced to step in as model’s family denies claiming body at first

Earlier, the Sindh government’s Department of Culture and Tourism had announced it would take full responsibility for Humaira’s burial if her family did not come forward.

Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah contacted the Additional IG Karachi to discuss the situation and instructed the Director General of Culture to act as a focal person for funeral arrangements. A formal letter was also sent to DIG East, stating that if the family refused to claim the body, the Sindh government would act as the legal guardian and carry out the burial with dignity.

Minister Shah said the government’s first priority was to ensure the parents agreed to receive the body, but assured that the Culture Department would fully coordinate with police if required. He termed Humaira Asghar’s death “a heartbreaking and deeply tragic incident.”

Sindh Governor Tessori vowed to lead funeral prayers

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori also pledged to cover all funeral expenses and arrangements. “If the family steps back, I will personally lead the funeral prayers,” he stated, adding that the dignity of daughters must be upheld at all costs. He instructed the Governor’s House’s Imam to be ready to lead the funeral if needed.

“This is not just the responsibility of the state but a wake-up call for society,” Tessori said, emphasising the importance of honouring women with dignity. “If no one comes forward to bury a young woman, it is a moment of shame for the entire nation.”

The case of Humaira Asghar has raised serious questions, as initial reports suggested her body had been in the apartment for 20 days, but police later said it may have been decomposing for over six months. No blood samples could be extracted, and signs of advanced decay were evident, including disintegration around the knees.