LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan’s renowned TV/Radio host, film actor, and politician Tariq Aziz passed away due to cardiac arrest in Lahore on Wednesday at the age of 84.
Tariq Aziz began his professional career from Radio Pakistan Lahore and was one of the most recognizable voices on the radio. He was the first announcer of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).
Tariq Aziz was known for his work on PTV’s Quiz Show Neelam Ghar, first aired in 1974, later renamed the Tariq Aziz Show and also known as Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz.
His hosting skills on the show ‘Neelam Ghar’ made him a household name in Pakistan over the past four decades in the country.
A renowned poet, Aziz was also a former Parliamentarian and a respected poet. He had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan between 1997 and 1999. He also performed in various movies.
Tariq Aziz also acted in a number of Pakistani films in the late 1960s and 1970s in side-roles. One of his famous movies was Salgira (1969) which was a highly successful musical movie and won 2 Nigar Awards for that year.
For his services to the nation, he was awarded Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1992.
In a statement, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed condolence to the bereaved family 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
The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz also voiced heartfelt condolence on the death of the renowned TV host and actor.
وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات سینیٹر شبلی فراز کا معروف آرٹسٹ اور طارق عزیز شو کے بانی طارق عزیز کی وفات پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار۔۔۔طارق عزیز نے دہائیوں تک پی ٹی وی کے ذریعے پاکستانی عوام کو تعلیم و تفریح فراہم کی۔ @shiblifaraz #TariqAziz pic.twitter.com/wQYNM8xdS6
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 17, 2020
طارق عزیز اعلی فنکارانہ صلاحیتوں کی حامل ادبی شخصیت تھے، اپنے پروگرام کو عوام کی تعلیم و تربیت کا ذریعہ بنایا۔۔۔طارق عزیزلوگوں کے دل میں ہمیشہ زندہ رہیں گے۔۔۔ سینٹر شبلی فراز#TariqAziz
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 17, 2020
