Author: News Desk

The family of actor Humaira Asghar Ali, who was found dead in her apartment in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI on Tuesday, will arrive from Lahore today to claim her body.

According to police officials, Humaira’s body was discovered in her flat in Ittehad Commercial, after a local court ordered the police to vacate the apartment due to unpaid rent. DIG South Syed Asad Raza confirmed that police knocked on the door at around 3:15 pm but received no response. They then broke the lock and found her body inside, already in an advanced stage of decomposition.

The Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the flat, and her body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for legal formalities. 

Dr Summaiya Syed, police surgeon, confirmed that the body was badly decomposed and the exact cause of death could not be determined immediately. She estimated that Humaira had died at least two weeks before she was found.

SSP South Mehzor Ali said Humaira had been living alone in the flat for about seven years. She rented it in 2018 but had not paid rent since October 2024. The Clifton Cantonment Board filed a case on behalf of the landlord, leading to the court-ordered eviction. When the bailiff arrived and found the door locked, it was broken open, and Humaira’s body was found lying on the floor in a room. 

Police efforts to locate her family revealed that Humaira’s father had severed ties with her nearly two years ago. He initially refused to come to Karachi to claim her body. Police tracked her phone number through the landlord and managed to reach her father and brother, but later lost contact with them. They are now expected to arrive in Karachi today.

Humaira Asghar Ali was known for her role in the ARY reality show Tamasha Ghar and her performance in the 2015 film Jalaibee. 

She had reportedly been living alone for years. Two mobile phones recovered from her apartment are being analyzed as part of the investigation. Police say they will register a case if any evidence of foul play is found, regardless of whether the family pursues the matter. The autopsy and toxicology reports are awaited as investigations continue into how she died.

Actress Sarwat Gilani is in no mood to hold back on her opinion about toxic male television characters. 

In a recent appearance on the Let’s Be Real show, the outspoken star called out fellow actor Feroze Khan for consistently portraying violent and toxic characters in drama serials, accusing him of promoting harmful behavior on national airwaves. 

Sarwat didn’t mince her words. She said, “In his dramas, mostly, he has been shown beating up the woman and treating her cruelly. The same woman later ends up falling in love with him. This toxic behaviour is glorified on national television.”

She believes these repeated storylines send the wrong message to viewers, especially in a society where such portrayals can normalize abuse and manipulation.

“Feroze Khan, you’re encouraging toxicity on national television, and then you have a problem with someone taking your story and presenting it on various platforms,” she remarked, pointing towards the larger cultural consequences of glorifying abusive behavior.

Sarwat also brought up the controversial moment when Feroze Khan leaked the personal phone numbers of several female celebrities, including herself, during his public divorce battle.

“There used to be an actor, but now you don’t see him much. Feroze Khan. He had leaked the phone numbers of five or six people. I was there. Sharmeen, Mera Sethi, and me. These types of characters they used to do. Slapping, kicking, shoes, talking disrespectfully. Zero values. And in the end, the girl falls in love with him. This is the problem,” she added.

She emphasized the responsibility that actors, writers, and producers carry when creating content for a wide audience. Dramas like Khaani and Ishqiya, where Feroze plays emotionally abusive and aggressive men, have been both popular and controversial, admired for their performances, yet heavily criticized for romanticizing toxic masculinity.

Sarwat wrapped up her thoughts by sharing a powerful statement made by a police officer she once heard, “Incidents like these should not discourage our daughters, but we should discourage our boys, that they should have a better environment, better upbringing, and better set of values.”