New twist in Humaira Asghar case: Court orders police to register murder case

Dubai: In a dramatic turn in the death of Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar, a Karachi sessions court has ordered police to register a murder case, citing suspicious circumstances and unexplained gaps in the initial inquiry.

The decision follows a petition by the family’s lawyer and marks a critical shift from what was once seen as a silent tragedy to a possible homicide investigation.

Humaira’s decomposed body was discovered on July 8, 2025, inside her apartment in DHA Phase VI, Karachi, nearly nine months after her suspected death. The discovery was made when a court-appointed bailiff and police forcibly entered the flat due to months of unpaid rent.

Initially treated as a case of unattended death, the investigation quickly took a darker turn after forensic teams found blood traces in the bathroom and bedroom, and recovered sea salt, believed to have been used to suppress odour, scattered around the room. The post-mortem examination, led by Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, was inconclusive due to the body’s decomposition, but several chemical and DNA samples were preserved for further analysis.

On Monday, the Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) directed police to file a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, ruling that sufficient grounds existed for further investigation under criminal law. The court emphasised that statements from Humaira’s family and close associates must be recorded, and that if the facts point to murder, a case must be registered without delay.

The court ruling follows a petition by Advocate Shahzaib Sohail, who represents Humaira’s family. The petition cited a range of suspicious factors including digital activity on her phone after her presumed death, the presence of blood, and sudden deletion of her WhatsApp profile photo as proof that her death was not natural.

Perhaps most chilling is the timeline uncovered through Humaira’s mobile phone and WhatsApp records. Investigators confirmed that Humaira was active on her devices until at least October 7, 2024, the date she attempted to contact 14 people, including a prominent Islamabad-based TV director. None of the calls or messages were answered.

It was revealed in the court that her phone remained active for several months after her death.

After October 7, her WhatsApp activity ceased, her profile photo disappeared, and subsequent messages including one from her make-up artist went unread. Police later recovered three phones, a tablet, and a diary from her apartment.

“Her last digital footprint is a cry for help,” said Advocate Sohail. “Someone deliberately erased her presence, and we want those responsible brought to justice.”

The petition also requested that Humaira’s make-up artist, who was reportedly in regular contact with her until shortly before her disappearance, be summoned. The lawyer noted that the artist’s phone was switched off during key days, raising suspicion. Humaira’s brother and other associates have also been listed for questioning.

Police previously argued that a case would only be registered if “sufficient evidence” of foul play emerged. The court overruled this cautious stance, noting that the presence of blood, sea salt, and contradictory digital data provide a legitimate basis for registering an FIR.

Once a familiar face on local television, Humaira Asghar Ali, 32, had retreated from public life in recent years. Known for her work in modelling and supporting roles in dama serials, she had built a substantial following on social media.

But in 2023—2024, her visibility declined. Her last commercial project was in September 2024, after which she reportedly faced financial hardship. Living alone in a DHA flat for over seven years, she became increasingly socially isolated. It was not until unpaid rent triggered legal proceedings that anyone noticed her absence.

Her family’s delayed response also stirred controversy. Initial reports confirmed her father declined to claim the body, with a brother-in-law eventually travelling from Lahore to collect the remains. The family has since demanded a comprehensive investigation, asserting that her death was neither natural nor accidental.

“We believe our daughter was murdered,” her mother told reporters. “She didn’t deserve to be forgotten.”

DIG South Karachi Asad Raza confirmed that further leads are being pursued, including forensic testing of the blood samples, analysis of the handwritten diary, and cross-referencing her last financial transactions.

The police are also reaching out to individuals listed in her call logs, including those she tried to contact on October 7. A WhatsApp message sent by stylist Danish Maqsood on October 20 remains unread. A detail investigators believe may help establish the exact timeline of her death.

With the apartment sealed and evidence under analysis, police say the investigation is now entering a critical phase. If foul play is confirmed, charges could follow swiftly and those close to Humaira in her final days may face serious legal consequences.