Latest news with #HumairaAsghar
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Every man now an island
Listen to article The tragic deaths of two showbiz celebrities, Ayesha Khan and Humaira Asghar, gone unnoticed for days in one case and months in the other, have exposed the ugly face of our connectivity and sociability in the virtual world. Contrary to John Donne's No Man Is an Island, social media has paradoxically turned man into an island. Our virtual relationships are just a mirage whose pursuit, however, cannot replace our craving for human connection. Among more than 700 thousand Humaira Asghar's Instagram followers, there must have been her friends, close ones, and relatives. Nobody noticed the deafening silence of a human being so active on the virtual platforms. Our insularity bordering on apathy has rendered us hollow like the stuffed men of TS Eliot. Screen tears drain real concern and care. It seems the more we are connected to the so-called virtual world, the less we are lassoed to our inner world. Without enjoying the bliss of our inner world, we will exhibit no empathy in the outer world. Albert Camus says, "And never have I felt so deeply at one and the same time so detached from myself and so present in the world." The inner moorings guarantee mindfulness — an endangered species in a world infested with FOMO. We are so overconnected to the flashy and fleeting virtual landscape that we don't notice who goes out of our frame temporarily or permanently. Henry Barthes, the lead character as a substitute teacher in the Adrien Brody starrer movie Detachment (2011), scrawls three words on the chalkboard: assimilate, ubiquitous and doublethink. He interacts with his class to ascertain the meaning of assimilation and ubiquitous: "Always absorbing everything everywhere, all the time." Consciousness is being treated as corporate landfill. Gen Z knows brand logos more than civic rights, courtesy of algorithmic predation. This is a resounding victory of "ubiquitous assimilation". He intends to disillusion his students hypnotised by "modern consciousness" when he explains the meanings of doublethink: "To deliberately believe in lies while knowing they are false. Examples of this in everyday life: 'Oh, I need to be pretty to be happy. I need surgery to be pretty. I need to be thin, famous, fashionable.'" Then, he utters the seismic indictment, venting his anguish and concern for his students: "This is a marketing holocaust. Twenty-four hours a day for the rest of our lives, the powers that be are hard at work dumbing us to death." Almost after fourteen years, these words have evolved from a cinematic dialogue to a cultural autopsy report, diagnosing how centrifugal are the corporate and algorithmic forces hellbent upon wiping our authentic human imagination — the last bastion of human autonomy. "How are you to imagine anything if the images are always provided for you?" Barthes questions his students' neural colonisation. "We all need something to distract us from complexity and reality," exclaims Barthes in a soliloquy. That 'something' contextually is human affinity, and "complexity and reality" is of detachment of humans from humans and from their own inner selves. The attachments stand depleted and severed by virtual realities - the glossy facades displayed on virtual fora. Stressing the social role of community, Barthes says: "We have such a responsibility to guide our young so that they don't end up falling apart, falling by the wayside, becoming insignificant." Media literacy has become as life-saving as CPR. Algorithms must be regulated like public utilities. Just as the Allies dismantled IG Farben — world's largest chemical cartel, which set up a plant at Auschwitz and conducted drug experiments on live inmates during the WWII — "to render impossible any future threat ... to world peace", we must shake off Big Tech's monopoly on our consciousness to save our inner peace. It's high time that we dismantled the infrastructure of the attention economy. To salvage the reattachment underlines shutting off our always-on staring screens that feed us nothing but lies. Like Martin Luther King Jr, let's have a dream of rebuilding our worlds where imagination isn't addicted to the opium of algorithms. Khuda hum ko aesi khudaii na dey Ke apnay sivaa kuchh dikhaii na dey
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
No traces of poison, drugs found in Humaira's body
The chemical examiner's report for actor Humaira Asghar revealed no traces of tranquilisers, psychotropic drugs, intoxicants, or any poisonous substances in her system, it was revealed on Friday. According to the police, the chemical examination included samples from Humaira's hair, lungs, liver, and other organs, which were sent to the University of Karachi's Industrial Analytical Centre. The police have also indicated that they are still awaiting the DNA report, which is expected to provide further insights into the case. Once both reports are received, they will be forwarded to the police surgeon, who will thoroughly review them to determine the cause of death. In addition to the medical reports, the special team has uncovered details of two personal bank accounts held by the actor. According to the special team, Humaira had accounts in two banks, with one account having over 390,000. The team has requested detailed reports of Humaira's accounts from both banks. Humaira Asghar's two mobile phones, a tablet, and a laptop were sent to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for forensic analysis. The special team had previously issued a collection notice to CTD, which will soon submit the forensic report related to Humaira's mobile phones, tablet, and laptop. A member of the special team told The Express Tribune that so far, investigations and interrogations have not found any evidence related to the murder of actress Humaira Asghar. However, the investigation is ongoing. The decomposed body of the actress was found at her apartment in the posh locality of Khyaban-e-Ithad DHA almost nine months after her death. The fact that her demise went unnoticed has left investigators perplexed.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
No poison or drugs found in Humaira Asghar's body: report
Listen to article The chemical examiner's report for actor Humaira Asghar revealed no traces of tranquilizers, psychotropic drugs, intoxicants, or any poisonous substances in her system, it was revealed on Friday. According to the police, the chemical examination included samples from Humaira's hair, lungs, liver, and other organs, which were sent to the University of Karachi's Industrial Analytical Center. The police have also indicated that they are still awaiting the DNA report, which is expected to provide further insights into the case. Once both reports are received, they will be forwarded to the police surgeon, who will thoroughly review them to determine the cause of death. In addition to the medical reports, the special team has uncovered details of two personal bank accounts held by the actor, one of which contains a balance exceeding Rs390,000. The police team has requested detailed reports from both banks regarding these accounts. Furthermore, Humaira's mobile phones, a tablet, and a laptop have been sent to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for forensic analysis. The special team has pressed the CTD for a prompt forensic report on the electronic devices. While the investigation is still ongoing, a member of the special team stated that no evidence linking Humaira's death to foul play or murder has been found thus far. However, authorities continue to pursue leads and gather more information.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Actor Humaira Asghar's death highlights quiet epidemic of urban isolation in Pakistan
KARACHI: When the decomposed body of Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar was discovered in her Karachi apartment earlier this month, it had been at least nine months since she passed away. The 42-year-old, originally from Lahore, had moved to Karachi to pursue her acting career and had been living alone for nearly seven years. Ali's remains were finally found at a flat in the city's Ittehad Commercial area when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the rented property, following a complaint by the landlord due to non-payment of rent for months. Police said the bailiff broke open the door and found the deceased inside. The apartment's electricity had been cut off and food in the fridge had expired months earlier. Authorities now believe Ali likely died of natural or accidental causes in October 2024, and no one realized. Her case has stirred uncomfortable conversations in Pakistan about the silent toll of urban isolation, especially in large cities like Karachi, where rapid expansion, changing family structures and weakening community bonds are quietly reshaping how people live — and die. Deputy Inspector General of Karachi police, Syed Asad Raza, said Asghar had shown signs of severe financial distress before her death. 'She was struggling to revive her career while socially disconnected from family and friends,' Raza told Arab News. 'We also found evidence indicating that, shortly before her death, she had reached out to several of her friends seeking financial help.' Last month, the body of veteran actress Ayesha Khan was also discovered in her Karachi apartment, around a week after her death. Welfare groups like the Edhi Foundation say such cases are rising, though comprehensive national data is lacking. 'There has definitely been an increase in this,' said Faisal Edhi, chairman of the charity, which frequently recovers unclaimed bodies. 'Now we have started finding individual bodies and in large numbers.' URBAN MIGRATION, SHRINKING SAFETY NETS According to World Bank estimates, nearly 44 percent of Pakistanis now live in urban areas, up from 35 percent in 2010. 'Maybe 50 years ago, 70 percent of people were living in villages. Now nearly 70 percent or more are in large cities,' Sociologist Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat, former vice chancellor of Sindh University, said, linking the rise in unattended deaths to the collapse of traditional village-based social safety nets. 'So this is not only a change from rural life to urban life, but a change in our whole social life.' Indeed, mental health experts warn that loneliness isn't just a social issue but a serious health risk. Karachi-based psychiatrist Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Afridi cited WHO findings that over 870,000 people died globally in 2024 due to conditions linked to extreme isolation. 'In fact, loneliness has been found to be more painful and damaging than conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure,' he said. 'It has also been observed that people who get disconnected from their friends, family and social circles often develop several diseases along with physical, psychological and social issues.' 'BIGGEST CON' In the wake of Ali's death, many are asking: why didn't the industry check in on its own? Model and actor Zainab Raza, who moved from Lahore to Karachi in 2020, described living alone as 'the biggest con' of independence. 'It's not necessary that everyone has family or friends who check in on them,' she said. 'You can find people who also need that support, and you can be there for each other.' After Asghar's death, a group of actors in Karachi created a WhatsApp support group called Connectivity 101, where members check in on each other daily via simple polls. 'Maybe if such groups and support systems existed when Humaira was around, things would have been a lot better,' Raza said. 'Maybe she would have been with us today.' Burfat, the sociologist, said women who were financially well-off but independent did not face the same level of social security issues as Ali, 'who had been unable to pay her rent, whose electricity was cut off, and whose parents were also not supporting her.' 'So, the world we have now entered,' he said, 'these types of incidents will keep happening.'
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Was Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar murdered? Fresh petition alleges foul play as chilling voice note emerges
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 New s 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo 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.
