Movies News

15 Pakistani Celebrities Whose Lives Ended Tragically

Six Screens July 19, 2025 0 Comments

1. Humaira Asghar Ali (1988–2024)

A TV actress and model was found dead in her Karachi apartment in June 2025—but forensic evidence suggests she passed away as early as October 2024.

Decomposed and alone, her tragic end highlighted isolation and family estrangement. A viral voice note to a friend requesting, “You’re in Makkah, please remember me in your prayers,” left fans heartbroken.

2. Ayesha Khan (1950s–2025)

A respected veteran actress whose body was found at home in Karachi on June 19, 2025. She had died almost a week earlier and was significantly decomposed. The terrible smell of death drove the neighbors to desperation, and they eventually called the police, revealing a tragic end for a star that the world had forgotten. Her passing deeply touched her colleagues and fans.

3. Arshad Sharif (1973–2022)

On October 23, 2022, Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was assassinated in Kajiado, Kenya, when local police shot at the car Sharif was travelling in after the vehicle failed to stop at a police roadblock.

In the weeks after the killing, Pakistani public and investigators along with his fellow journalists, began to describe the case as a “planned assassination” orchestrated by Pakistan’s military in retaliation for Sharif’s public criticism of their institution. Till date the mystery remains unsolved.

4. Tariq Teddy (1976–2022)

A Punjabi stage comedian and actor, dubbed “King of Laughter”. Born in Faisalabad, he began his career in the 1990s and earned a loyal following across Pakistan for sharp wit and infectious energy. After battling liver and respiratory ailments for a year, he was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator at Punjab Kidney & Liver Institute in Lahore.

He passed away on November 19, 2022, at the age of 46. His sudden loss shook the theatre community, and Punjab’s chief minister offered financial assistance to his grieving family.

5. Junaid Jamshed (1964–2016)

A multifaceted icon: rising in the late 1980s as the lead singer of the Vital Signs pop band, creator of the patriotic anthem “Dil Dil Pakistan” (often called Pakistan’s unofficial national anthem), then later becoming an influential religious figure.

On December 7, 2016, he and his second wife were among the 47 passengers killed when PIA Flight PK‑661 crashed near Havelian, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His death marked the end of a life that bridged modern pop culture and conservative Islamic revival.

6. Zara Abid (1992–2020)

A fast-rising fashion model and aspiring actress, she won the “Best Female Model” award at the Hum Style Awards in early 2020. Tragically, on May 22, 2020, she was on board PIA Flight 8303 when it crashed near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, killing 97 of the 99 people aboard.

Her death not only shocked the fashion world but also sparked widespread online harassment—trolls reacted by slut-shaming her in death, highlighting the industry’s fragile relationship with society.

7. Roohi Bano (1951–2019)

A celebrated TV actress known as the “Queen of Melancholy,” she endured her son’s brutal murder in 2005. She later battled schizophrenia and died in Istanbul after ten days on a ventilator due to kidney disease.

8. Naila Jaffri (1965–2021)

A seasoned television actress and director who faced a long battle with ovarian cancer. She died in July 2021 in Karachi. Hundreds of fans took to social media to offer condolences over the death of Naila Jaffri. She was best known for her roles in drama serials “Aa Mujh ko Satana”, “Desi Girls” and “Thodi Si Khushiyan”.

9. Abid Ali (1952–2019)

A legendary actor known for Waris, he passed away on September 5, 2019, from liver failure after being hospitalized for more than three days. His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Masjid-e-Ashiq in Bahria town, Karachi.

10. Amjad Sabri (1976–2016)

A beloved Qawwali singer gunned down in Karachi on June 22, 2016. Taliban-linked militants claimed responsibility for the assasination. Many of his fans and family protested and the nation was in utter shock.

11. Sana Yousaf (2008–2025)

A 17‑year‑old TikTok influencer based in Islamabad, shot and killed in her own home in June 2025. Umer Hayat, a 22 years old, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. He confessed to the crime immediately revealing; he shot her in the head and stomach for not accepting his advances. She was laid to rest in Chitral.

12. Qandeel Baloch (1990–2016)

Pakistan’s first major social media star, she was strangled to death by her brother in an “honour” killing in July 2016. Waseem, her brother confessed, he strangled her to death while she was asleep at her parent’s residence in Multan. According to him, her actions were bringing disgrace to the family.

13. Sultan Rahi (1938–1996)

A legendary Punjabi film star who was shot and killed during a roadside attack near Gujranwala while traveling home—reportedly by unknown assailants.

14. Waheed Murad (1938–1983)

The iconic “Chocolate Hero” known as Armaan was found dead in his Karachi home. His death—possibly due to a heart attack or suicide—remains unresolved. Fans claim its a suicide as he faced a hugh financial loss when he was at his best of career.

15. Moin Akhtar (1950–2011)

A beloved comedian, actor, and host, he passed away in April 2011 due to a sudden heart attack, leaving the nation in mourning. Funeral prayers for Akhter were offered in Tauheed Masjid near his residence. Thousands of people attended the funeral prayer which was led by Junaid Jamshed. Many Bollywood actors paid tribute to Akhter including Johnny Lever, Javed Jaffrey and Shatrughan Sinha.

Final thought

These 15 stories underscore how fame doesn’t shield against tragedy. Many faced isolation, violence, mental illness, or sudden health crises. Their untimely deaths highlight ongoing societal challenges—mental health, honour-based violence, press freedom, and safety.