TV icon Tariq Aziz passes away
Pakistan’s legendary TV show host and country’s first TV anchorman Tariq Aziz, best known for his show Neelam Ghar, passed away on Wednesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Sources in Tariq Aziz’s family broke the news but they did not divulge the cause of his death.
Tariq Aziz also acted in several films and his first film was Insaniyat which was released in 1967. In that film, he acted along with renowned actors Waheed Murad and Zeba and also played the leading role in film Haar Gaya Insaan. He also acted in film Salgira.
His quiz show Neelam Ghar was first aired on Pakistan Television (PTV) in 1974 and later the show was renamed as Tariq Aziz Show and then to Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz.
Tariq Aziz also took part in politics and was elected a member of the National Assembly from Lahore between 1997 and 1999. Interestingly, he along with MNA Mian Muhammad Munir and MPA from Punjab Akhtar Rasool were disqualified over their role in the 1997 attack on the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Born in 1936, Tariq Aziz received his early education in Jalandhar before starting his career at Radio Pakistan, Lahore. When Pakistan started its initial television broadcast in November 1964, Tariq Aziz became the first male PTV broadcaster and he also had the honour to make the first announcement on the state television. He was the first man to be seen on a PTV broadcast.
In 1974, Tariq Aziz started a quiz programme, Neelam Ghar, which used to be broadcast by PTV. Neelam Ghar had its three versions. For many long years, it remained as ‘Neelam Ghar’. Then it was made ‘Tariq Aziz Show’ and later the show was renamed as ‘Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz’.
Tariq had also performed in several movies including Insaniyat (1967), Haar Gaya Insaan and Salgira.
During President Pervez Musharraf's ruling period, he joined his political party Pakistan Muslim League (Q). However, he could not attain any status of note in that party and was sidelined.
Again, he returned to the entertainment industry. But this time his career in the entertainment industry could not reach the highs of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s due to plenty of competition by many TV channels in Pakistan after 2002.
In recognition of his services, Tariq was conferred with Pride of Performance. Apart from show hosting, he had interviewed many notable intellectuals, sportspersons, and celebrities on his shows.
Tariq Aziz had appeared on several local television programmes and morning shows. He had also organised telethons for charity purposes.
The TV show host recently announced his decision to donate all his lifetime earnings to the Government of Pakistan.
He shared that having children or no children is the will of Allah and since he has no kids of his own he would like to give all his earnings for the welfare of his country.
Tariq Aziz had won the hearts of many by announcing his will and he surely was a role model for all of us.
In his reaction, Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed condolences on the sad demise of Tariq Aziz.
Saddened to learn of the passing of Tariq Aziz, an icon in his time and a pioneer of our TV game shows. My condolences and prayers go to his family.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 17, 2020
Celebs and fans’ reaction
Several actors and filmmakers who had worked with Tariq Aziz expressed grief over his death on social media.
Superstar Ali Zafar said in a statement: “Rest in peace Tariq Aziz Sahab. You gave us an era. A childhood full of memories. You gave us gifts and so much more. We forget our heroes too soon. But I am confident you shall never be forgotten. Such was your presence. #RIP #TariqAziz”
Rest in peace Tariq Aziz Sahab. You gave us an era. A childhood full of memories. You gave us gifts and so much more. We forget our heroes too soon. But I am confident you shall never be forgotten. Such was your presence. #RIP #TariqAziz https://t.co/xMNGO29P7s
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) June 17, 2020
Actor Bilal Ashraf wrote: “Another huge loss, Tariq Aziz Saab you will be missed. #TariqAziz”
Another huge loss 😞 Tariq Aziz Saab you will be missed. #TariqAziz 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/zEoSOowrBz
— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) June 17, 2020
Calling it ‘heart-breaking’, Mawra Hocane also expressed her sorrow. She wrote: “A big part of my childhood. May you rest in peace sir. Thank you for entertaining us with your game shows & so much more.”
A big part of my childhood. May you rest in peace sir. Thankyou for entertaining us with your game shows & so much more❤️
— MAWRA (@MawraHocane) June 17, 2020
“Dekti aankhon or suntay kanon ko#TariqAziz ka salam” 🤲🏻
Fahad Mustafa, took to Instagram to share a deeply emotional message. “Our media industry has lost a legendary host, actor & an exceptional human being. End of an era.” He wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBh-MsqJJJW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Praising Aziz's versatility, actor Mustansir Hussain Tarar said he was the “biggest star of PTV”, adding that he had shown his talents as a compere, as an actor and as a poet.
Following are the reactions of fans and well-known personalities on twitter:
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور قائد حزب اختلاف شہبازشریف کا ممتاز فنکار اور پروگرام نیلام گھر کے نامور میزبان طارق عزیز کے انتقال پررنج وغم اور افسوس کا اظہار
— PMLN (@pmln_org) June 17, 2020
ریڈیو، ٹی وی، فلم کے ہر میڈیم پر طارق عزیز نے اپنی قابلیت اور صلاحیتوں کا لوہا منوایا
Legendary host, an intellectual powerhouse and a brand in himself.
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) June 17, 2020
His famous “Dekhti aankhon sunty kaanon ko Tariq Aziz ka salam” and “Ye apka hua”still echoes in my ears.
May the Almighty bless his soul with higher ranks and give strength to the loss bearers.
RIP #TariqAziz !
Former ‘Nelam Ghar’ host Tariq Aziz has passed away
— Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mansoor_Ali) June 17, 2020
Tariq Aziz has passed away, Geo is reporting. Inna lillahe wainna alehe rajeoun. A true cultural icon. pic.twitter.com/LYi5JWdr5l
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) June 17, 2020
Tarqiq Aziz, undeniably a legendary figure in history of Pakistan Television is no more.... RIP sir 😔
— Ayesha Khalid (@AyeshDibs) June 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/SuspendedBila/status/1273167503716466691
https://twitter.com/kaalakawaa/status/1273168123634634753
جن کو ہم بچپن سے دیکھتے بڑے ہوئے آج وہ اس دنیا سے رخصت ہوگئے۔معروف ٹی وی میزبان اب ہم میں نہیں رہے۔ اللہ ان کو جنت میں جگہ دے اور گھر والوں صبر 💔 pic.twitter.com/gpZYLldi7a
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) June 17, 2020
End of era - rest in peace, Tariq Aziz. #WaterCoolerAapKaHua #NeelamGhar #Pakistan
— Yusra Askari (@YusraSAskari) June 17, 2020
“ Yeh watercooler aap ka huva”
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) June 17, 2020
The most endearing & popular sentence we grew up listening to.
Rest In Peace, Tariq Aziz Saheb.