Legendary TV host, actor and politician Tariq Aziz passed away

Tariq Aziz earn fame as host of Neelam Ghar on PTV

Legendary TV host, poet, actor and politician Tariq Aziz passed away in Lahore today at the age of 84. He got fame from famous PTV game show called Neelam Ghar. He became a household name in the country. He was a good Punjabi and Urdu poet. But Neelam Ghar overshadowed his other abilities and work.

His programme Neelam Ghar — later named Tariq Aziz Show — started in 1974 on Pakistan Television and continued for four decades. He was also a poet and an actor and performed in several radio and television programmes as well as in films.

Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar on April 28, 1936. After partition, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Sahiwal, where he received his primary education. He started his career with Radio Pakistan in the 1960s and later went on to become Pakistan's first television host.

His first film, Insaniyat, was released in 1967. Other notable titles he acted in include Salgirah, Qasam Us Waqt Ki, Katari and Har Gaya Insan. He was not very successful in the films. He spent most of life working with PTV. For his services to the entertainment industry, he was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance Award by the government in 1992.

He also tried his luck in politics and joined PPP in 1967. He then quit politics in 1970s and concentrated on his career as TV host. In 1990s, he joined PML-N and contested national assembly election in 1997 from Lahore. He won this election with huge margin from NA-94.

He also remains part of PML-Q and supported General Musharaf in the referendum. He was not politically active in last few years of his life.

The people like me grew up watching his famous Neelam Ghar show on PTV in the 1980s. He set high standards as TV host. We will miss you legend. Rest in Peace.  

                                                            Rukhsana Manzoor deputy editor