LAHORE: Famed Pakistani host of the country’s first ever game show ‘Neelam Ghar’, actor and politician, Tariq Aziz passed away in Lahore at the age of 85 on Wednesday.
He began his professional career from Radio Pakistan and was one of the most recognisable voices on radio.
A renowned poet, Aziz was also a former parliamentarian and a respected poet. His hosting skills on the show ‘Neelam Ghar’ made him a household name in Pakistan over the past four decades in the country.
Tariq Aziz was also an accomplished film actor and worked alongside leading stars like Waheed Murad and Zeba in “Insaniyat (1967)”, and “Haar Gaya Insaan”.
He also joined politics for a brief time and became member of Pakistan’s National Assembly from 1997 and 1999.
A renowned poet, Aziz also had a collection of poems – Hamzad Da Dukh – to his credit.
Aziz also appeared on several local television programmes and morning shows. He also organised telethons for charity purposes.
Aziz was awarded the Pride of Performance Award by then president of Pakistan in 1992.
Praising Aziz’s versatility, Tarar said that he was the “biggest star of PTV”, adding that he had shown his talents as a compare, as an actor and as a poet.
As soon as news broke of Aziz’s death, Twitter paid tribute to the legend.
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