Model and actor Hira Tareen is opening up about crumbling community and family structures in light of the deaths of actor and model Humaira Asghar Ali and veteran actor Ayesha Khan, who both passed away alone in their homes and were found days later, something that Tareen found “beyond disturbing.”
Ali’s body was found in an apartment in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority on Tuesday, police confirmed. South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Images that Ali’s body was recovered from a flat in Ittehad Commercial in Phase-VI. In a statement, the Gizri police identified the body as that of the 32-year-old actor and said she had died around two weeks prior to the discovery.
In June, Khan was found dead in her apartment in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal area. The deceased’s remains indicated that she may have died a few days before she was found, and police discovered she lived by herself.
In a note posted to her Instagram story, Tareen addressed Ali’s passing and said she met her at a few fashion weeks when she was modelling, adding, “People can be really cruel in the fashion industry at times.”
“But what we’re 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 dead days later, alone in their homes, is beyond disturbing.”
Tareen continued that this was a sign of how disconnected people were and that everyone assumed someone would be okay in real life if they appeared alright on social media. “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,” she wrote.
The Ishq Murshid actor said people constantly consume content that tells them they’re better off alone and everyone else is toxic. She clarified that she was not implying that this happened in Khan and Ali’s cases, but was a reminder of where things were heading.
“Prayers for those we lost. May they rest in peace.”
After Ali’s passing, many celebrities took to social media to urge people to check on their friends. Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak highlighted the complexities of showbiz life. “The industry often looks glamorous from the outside, but navigating it can be deeply challenging. I won’t claim to have known her well… but please have respect for the departed. Be gentle, be sensitive, and be mindful of what you say in the comment section.”
Actor Hina Altaf reflected, “She lived alone. She passed away alone. And days went by before anyone even noticed. This isn’t just a loss, it’s a wake-up call. Check in on your friends, and also people who never ask.”
Mawra Hocane asked friends and acquaintances to reach out to her without any judgment. “If you’re in trouble or caught in spiralling thoughts, if I have known you briefly or extensively, if you’re a friend or an acquaintance, if you’re from my fraternity and you feel I will understand your pressures, please reach out!” Hocane wrote.