"The world is held together, really it is held together, by the love and the passion of a very few people."
(James Baldwin)
The death of model and actress Humaira Asghar Ali in mysterious circumstances has shaken various sections of society. It beggars belief that her death went unnoticed for months; as a result, her body had started decomposing. Her decomposed remains were discovered when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the rented property following a complaint registered by the owner of the flat in the upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase 6, Karachi. This death shines a light on the murkier environment in human spheres. What about those who were close to her or whom she held dear during her lifetime? Why didn't they bother to know about her long absence from the social circle she was part of?
The departure of Humaira Asghar in such silence and mystery has actually exposed the dark underbelly of the beautiful showbiz, media and entertainment industry.
According to media reports, her Lahore-based parents refused to receive her body. This unwillingness on the part of the parents to claim the body of the deceased generated unprecedented indignation, with various people from all walks of life dubbing it as both hypocrisy and double standards when it comes to dealing with daughters and sons. A great many people minced no words and said that the bodies of alleged rapists, those addicted to drugs, and those involved in heinous crimes (sons) have never received the cold shoulder. In the face of widespread criticism from across various sections of society regarding their refusal to receive the body of the late actress, the parents reportedly finally agreed to claim her remains, which is a step in the right direction. What separated her from her family so much that they are unwilling to receive her body and give her burial rituals? Facts will come out one day. For now, there are as many opinions as people. Speculations are rife.
One aspect of the case seems to be that she was broke, unable to pay the dues for over a year, prompting the flat owner to take the matter to court for relief in terms of vacating the rented flat. Being liked by thousands and followed by reportedly half a million on social networking sites couldn't ensure her economic needs. Those aspiring to build careers in the showbiz and entertainment industry should think carefully and cautiously before they join the industry as a means of bread and butter.
It suggests that one must have a proper career that can ensure economic prospects needed for practical life. In one of her interviews, the late actress mentioned that she wanted to explore Karachi and rediscover herself, suggesting her ambitions. Whatever ambitions one may have, one must not sacrifice familial relationships. Better still, they should not be allowed to upset blood relationships, i.e., with parents, cousins, and relatives. The family bond should not be allowed to be broken, citing the roadblocks that parents sometimes erect due to security and family prestige concerns. In such circumstances, they must be won over so that they can provide moral support when needed, especially when one is facing multiple challenges in one's career and lofty ambitions. The family unit should remain intact under all circumstances. Parents are tall trees, sheltering their children with their life-long experiences, cautionary tales in every context, and a guide to practical life. Their guidance and prayers do wonders. They sacrifice their well-being to empower our academic pursuits. Their balanced approach insulates us from troubles and testing times. At a tender age, children tend to resent certain boundaries set by their parents. Sometimes, this resentment transforms into lifelong dislike, ultimately taking a toll on family bonds.
Rising stars tend to be wary of establishing contacts with neighbours. Cosmopolitan culture embedded in urban life also undermines social space; hence people living next door become strangers to one another. This strangeness while living in crowded flat apartments is common in urban centres. As a result, there is no social contact and much-needed human interaction. This results in no one paying attention to anyone. Everyone is living in their own busy and solitary confinement. The myth of digital relationships: Those in the media industry and digital media hype are sometimes so consumed by their professional careers in terms of digital reputation - likes and comments they receive - that they forget intimate, blood relationships, even childhood friends, in the digital world. As a result, they mainly rely on digital-induced friendships and reputation, which sometimes end in a puff of smoke. These relationships are temporary and lack depth and feelings. Hence, these digital icons lack shoulders to cry on and subsequent emotional support. Life is larger in every context and text than the likes and sugary comments we receive on digital platforms. Digital rise is a slippery slope. Once you fall, it's very difficult to climb back and achieve the same status. This lingering fear of fall creates pressure and sometimes, this plays havoc with the health of those engaged in this field.
People in the digital world tend to be lonely as they live in their utopian world. Their dreams and aspirations derail them too far from family and sincere social circles. Such a treasure trove of relationships is a goldmine when it comes to gaining emotional support and moral strength in times of crisis. Both success and the journey to its achievement are fraught with fault lines. Successful people in any field are more inclined to surround themselves with a group of flatterers - whose glib and oily art of speaking is taken at face value as a faithful social circle. And with the shifting sands of fortune, they fly away and perch on more prosperous trees somewhere else. Meanwhile, those making strides in achieving a successful career sometimes neglect genuine relationships, ultimately losing strong shoulders that might help in times of adversity.
Humaira was lying dead for days. Neither her neighbours noticed whether she was coming and going nor was anyone from her social contacts able to reach her flat, given that she was off the screen and social circle reportedly since October 2024. The forensic examination of her mobile phone might establish leads for further inquiry into a meaningful direction.
With the advancement of digitalisation, the easier communication becomes, the more indifferent we are to one another. What we as a society need to realise is why we have built walls too high to cross over in times of emotional crisis, and seek subsequent relief by pouring our hearts out into each other's company and subsequently solving problems by sharing. Given the indifferent attitude in this case, those media moguls in showbiz, entertainment industry, or any digital media platforms who enjoy a big fan club and followers should have a small circle of friends and well-wishers who are available in testing times and subsequently give a patient hearing, thereby diluting the psychological burden or anxiety one might be caught in the crossfire of any emotional disturbance and disappointments stemming from multiple social and professional upheavals. And who could feel one's absence, prompting them to reach out to know the reasons behind the lingering loneliness of people around them? The case of Humaira Asghar is neither the first nor will it be the last, given our broken social fabric. Until we build bridges and prioritise social connection as a key component of our lives, the recurrence of such cases is not far off.
Contrary to common perception, loneliness is not a problem limited to ageing populations in wealthy nations. In fact, people in low-income countries report far higher levels of loneliness
Earlier, society, to its utter discomfort, discovered the death of veteran actress Ayesha Khan in similar circumstances, lying dead in abandonment. Born in 1948, Ayesha Khan was known for her roles in several television shows like Aroosa, Family 93, Sham Se Pehle and Bandhan, including Afshan, in which she played a woman left behind during Partition after her husband and brother are forced to flee the country. She was literally left behind and breathed her last without anyone around.
Following the unfortunate incident of Humaira Asghar Ali, various people directed their criticism against feminism, accusing feminists of unbridled independence and subsequently leaving the family fold while severing relationships with parents. One does not know the details that led to the late actress's estrangement from her family. Therefore, this should not be allowed to tarnish women trying to achieve personal and professional growth while walking untrodden paths. Forgiving the dead has been deeply entrenched in our social fabric. It is said that death solves all problems. However, the untimely and pitiful circumstances surrounding the death of Humaira Asghar Ali took much time than expected to shake off the yoke of estrangement with her parents, as her brother Naveed Asghar finally came to Karachi to receive last remains of his late sister. After having collected the decomposed last remains of his sister, Naveed Asghar placed no blame at the door of anyone. However, he complained about the media trial of his family following the discovery of Humaira's death. He is reported to have said that media unnecessarily targeted his family instead of raising relevant questions and subsequently asking the owner of the flat where his sister was residing. Electronic media channels should see if the cap fits them in terms of irresponsible reporting.
This case should serve as a test case in terms of inquiry, and the contributing causes of loneliness should be highlighted with pinpoint accuracy so that others going through the same trauma can find a better pivot in terms of relief and reconciliation. An in-depth inquiry into the circumstances of loneliness should be the stepping stone to avoiding future tragedies. Many from the showbiz and entertainment industry will emerge from nowhere and shed crocodile tears while posting condolence messages and praising her as a pleasant personality. Some will pose as though they were very close to her during her lifetime. But no one paid attention to her long absence from the stage of social life. We all need to understand this fleeting world. Loneliness runs deeper than imagined. We are in the crowd, yet we often overlook the inner emptiness of those around us. We need to view human relationships through the lens of sincerity rather than the delusional optics and betrayal that prevail in our social circles.
Reportedly, Humaira Asghar Ali rose to fame after winning Veet Miss Super Model in 2014 and appearing in reality show Tamasha Ghar in 2022. She has featured in television dramas such as Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru, and Chal Dil Mere. In cinema, she appeared in the 2015 action-thriller Jalaibee and later in Love Vaccine in 2021. Her death in isolation has not only generated nationwide grief but has also sparked a national discussion about growing isolation and mental health, with many conveying their concerns about the issue in no uncertain terms over her death that reportedly went unnoticed for months. She is said to have made her last call to a cab driver in October 2024. Her social media activities are also said to have eclipsed around the same time. Hura Tareen reportedly conveyed her concern on her microblogging site X writing:
"I personally had met Humaira at a few fashion weeks back when I was modeling and lets just say people can be really cruel in the fashion industry at times. But what we are witnessing these days is something heartbreaking, something we don't talk about enough. The way community and family structures are crumbling right in front of us. Hearing about people found days later, alone in their homes is beyond disturbing. It's sign of how disconnected we have become. If someone looks fine on a social media, we assume they must be ok. We forget most people only show their best side here. We don't talk to each other. We turn to acquaintances who tell us what we wanna hear or AI who is programmed to tell us we are always right. We constantly consume content that tell us we are better off alone and everyone else is toxic. I am not saying that is what happened in these recent cases, but it's a reminder of where things are heading."
Social disconnection is a growing global concern, as highlighted by the WHO in its recently released report published in TRT World titled "Loneliness is claiming 100 lives an hour, says WHO." It's not war, hunger or disease - but loneliness - that is silently shortening the life span around the world, with hundreds of thousands dying every year because they miss a shoulder to cry on. In a new report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that 1 in 6 people globally suffer from the loneliness epidemic, a condition now blamed for more than 871,000 deaths each year, or about 100 every hour. The WHO warns that the world is in the midst of a social disconnection crisis with sweeping health, economic, and social consequences. Once considered a personal emotion, loneliness is now being treated as a global health hazard. "Loneliness is a significant public health concern comparable to tobacco use and obesity," said Dr Vivek Murthy, Co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and former US Surgeon General. In an interview with The Guardian, he described loneliness as "a signal indicating a deficiency essential for survival, namely, social connection," comparing it to the biological need to eat. "In this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Apart from the toll it takes on individuals, families and communities, left unaddressed, loneliness and social isolation will continue to cost society billions in terms of health care, education, and employment," he added.
Contrary to common perception, loneliness is not a problem limited to ageing populations in wealthy nations. In fact, people in low-income countries report far higher levels of loneliness: 24 percent, compared to 11 percent in high-income countries. And among adolescents globally, up to 21 percent report feeling lonely, with the highest rates among teenagers. "Even in a digitally connected world, many young people feel alone. As technology reshapes our lives, we must ensure it strengthens - not weakens - human connection," said Chido Mpemba, Commission Co-chair and advisor to the African Union Chairperson.
A call for global reconnection: In response to this escalating crisis, WHO is urging countries to adopt a five-part action plan that includes public engagement to reshape how societies think about human connection. But the solution doesn't rest with governments alone. WHO calls for action at every level: schools, employers, city planners, healthcare providers, and individuals all have a role to play. From building more parks and libraries to offering therapy or simply taking time to speak to a neighbour, the steps to reduce loneliness are often simple, yet deeply powerful, the health body says.
A logical question that arises is: why is a woman living alone seen as compromising her character? Women have historically navigated through misogyny. Many women still face workplace harassment and are subjected to scrutiny (groping eyes) everywhere they go. Due to this network of disadvantages, many women never cross the threshold of their households, and their dreams of becoming productive citizens are crushed under the heavy weight of male chauvinism. Besides, we see deep-seated discrimination against daughters in terms of their education and property distribution. Many parents leave no stone unturned to educate their sons whereas daughters fail to receive the same importance. Many girls, especially in a feudal setting or land-owning families are deprived of marriage due to the fear of losing property, or sometimes they are allowed to get married but are disinherited. The stigma is so high in society that if a daughter dares to demand a share in parental property, she is dubbed an insincere and greedy individual. Whereas the same parents give a broad smile to sons demanding their share. This widespread discrimination must end.
We need to cultivate an environment where women feel free and secure, even while living alone. They should be treated as human beings rather than being defined as the weaker gender. The circumstances surrounding Humaira's untimely departure are still shrouded in mystery. The digital and forensic evidence available has reportedly indicated that she may have died months before. According to media reports, the preliminary postmortem report of actress Humaira Asghar Ali has failed to determine the cause of death due to the advanced stage of decomposition. Police Surgeon Dr Samia reportedly confirmed that the body was decomposed and thus not fit for establishing the cause of death. She stated that samples have been collected for DNA identification and chemical analysis, and the exact cause of death will only be determined after laboratory results are received.
Certain questions demand answers: how was it possible for the deceased actress to live in a flat without electricity and gas connection? According to media reports, the electricity and gas connection was cut off in October 2024 due to default. A certain link is either missing or has not been reported. I am not a legal expert, but as a journalist, I believe that before an eviction order, the respondent is supposed to be summoned to court to give his/her point of view on the contested matter. Did this happen? What was the response of the late actress? These circumstances demand proper and professional inquiry by highly professional police officers to ascertain the real cause of death whether it was a natural death or a result of foul play.
Ascertaining the real cause of death is the first and foremost responsibility of those overseeing the investigation. We saw a number of deaths that turned out to be cold-blooded murders or were a result of foul play. Here, again, one smells a rat. Let this case not slip into the maze of mock inquiries. In light of circumstances surrounding the actress's death, we the society, and the media should apply decisive pressure to uncover the truth.