Veteran Actress Ayesha Khan Found Dead Alone in Karachi Apartment

She died in silence—forgotten by the world she once mesmerized. The heartbreaking discovery of veteran TV actress Ayesha Khan’s decomposed body in her Gulshan-e-Iqbal apartment has cast a grim spotlight on the fleeting nature of fame and the vulnerability of aging stars left behind by the industry they helped build.

Ayesha Khan, 77, a celebrated pioneer of Pakistan Television (PTV), was found dead on Thursday evening after neighbours, overwhelmed by the unbearable stench, alerted authorities. Police say she had likely passed away almost a week earlier, dying alone in her bathroom with no one noticing until the odor became impossible to ignore.

Her children, who live outside Karachi, were informed of the tragedy. The body was moved to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medico-legal procedures and later transferred to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth. Dr. Summaiya Syed, police surgeon, stated that a post-mortem will be conducted once her legal heirs arrive. No immediate evidence of foul play was found, and police have listed it as an unnatural death.

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Born in 1948, Ayesha Khan played iconic roles in numerous classic dramas over her five-decade-long career, known for portraying strong, complex women. She was also the elder sister of the late actress Khalida Riasat.

Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan, expressed sorrow, calling her death a “great loss for Pakistani drama.” Funeral details are pending family coordination.

Her solitary death has ignited concern over the welfare of retired artistes, reviving questions about the entertainment industry’s role in supporting its legends once the applause fades.