A day after actor and model Humaira Asghar’s family refused to accept her remains for burial arrangements, Sindh government’s Culture Department has offered to take responsibility for the same, citing the contributions of the late actress to the country’s arts and culture.

Humaira’s months-old corpse was earlier this week discovered at her rented apartment in Karachi’s Defence area. Investigation and medical examination suggested that the actor passed away around October last year and her body remained undiscovered for around nine months until her landlord attempted to have the apartment vacated with the help of law enforcement over non-payment of rent.

As the news spread like wildfire, it was reported that Humaira’s legal heirs, including her parents, had refused to accept the remains, saying that they had severed ties with her a long time ago.

With several people offering to accept the remains to perform the late model’s last rites, a Sindh government letter has revealed that the provincial culture department, on the directives of the minister, has also offered to take responsibility for Humaira’s burial arrangements with respect and in a dignified manner.

“I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and to state that Minister, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, has taken notice of the sad demise of the actress Humaira Asghar and has expressed his deep sorrow for her death. Further he is very much aggrieved for non-cooperation from her legal heirs to take over the custody of the body for burial,” read the letter to Karachi South’s deputy inspector general of police dated July 10.

It added that in light of this situation, and considering her contributions to the arts and culture of the country, the Culture Department, Government of Sindh is willing to take responsibility for her burial arrangements with respect and in dignified manner.

While the remains are for now in law enforcement’s custody, Humaira’s sister, amid widespread outrage, has also reportedly contacted authorities for the same to be handed over to the family.