Ayesha Khan, one of Pakistan’s most admired television actresses, was found dead in her apartment in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 7. She was 76.
Police confirmed that her body was discovered nearly a week after her passing, raising concerns over her isolation in recent years. Khan had been living alone and had largely withdrawn from public life. Her body has been moved to Jinnah Hospital for examination, while police have launched an inquiry and begun interviewing neighbours and family members.
Born on 22 November 1948, Ayesha Khan was the elder sister of the late Khalida Riyasat, herself a legendary figure in Pakistan’s television history. The sisters were among the most influential women in Pakistani drama during its formative decades.
Khan’s contributions to Pakistan Television (PTV) remain deeply etched in the country’s cultural memory. Her performances in Akhri Chattan, Tipu Sultan: The Tiger Lord, Dehleez, Daraarein, Bol Meri Machli, Saibaan, and Ek Aur Aasman captivated audiences across Pakistan and beyond. Known for her range—effortlessly shifting between comedy and serious drama—she was often seen alongside iconic actors like Qazi Wajid and Talat Hussain.
She also took on roles in several films, including Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Muskaan, and Fatima. Her sister Khalida Riyasat, who died in 1996, was similarly acclaimed for her work in classics such as Aik Muhabbat Sou Afsane, Ankahi, Tabeer, and Nasheman.
Ayesha Khan’s passing closes a chapter in Pakistan’s television history, leaving behind a legacy that spans generations of PTV audiences.