LAHORE :
In an era of grandeur and gimmicks, the glory of grace seems to be lost – and the man who brought that grace to Pakistani television has now left the world too.
Tariq Aziz was the man of firsts, the first male television anchor, the first Pakistani game show host, the first to represent our culture onscreen and subsequently the first to influence it. His encapsulating speech, intimidating tone, contagious style and enigmatic presence set the benchmark for every showman to follow. And In today’s world of exuberance, Aziz left a legacy of eloquence which can never be forgotten.
The 85-year-old Neelam Ghar host breathed his last on Wednesday morning after being rushed to a private hospital in Lahore on Tuesday. He then passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest, reported Radio Pakistan.
In his last and cryptic tweet from yesterday evening, Aziz wrote, "Lagta hai waqt tham gaya hai. Rawan dawan zindagi ruk gae hai. Kayi dinon se bistar per laitay laitay soch raha hun ke azaadana harkat bhi Maalik ki kitni bari naimat thi. (It seems as if time has paused and life has stopped. I've been lying in this bed for so many days and thinking what a blessing the freedom of movement itself was)."
He then added, "Najaane puraana waqt kab laut ke aaega abhi tou koi umeed nazar nahi aarahi. (I wonder when old times will return, for now I see no hope)."
In another one of his recent tweets, Aziz revealed that his upcoming book Footpath se Parliament tak is almost ready to be published.
His quiz show Neelam Ghar was first aired in 1974, it later came to be known as the Tariq Aziz Show and was then renamed the Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz. Aziz was also a politician and became a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan between 1997 and 1999.
He received his early education in Jalandhar before starting his career at Radio Pakistan, Lahore. When the country's first television broadcast was made in November 1964, Aziz became the first male PTV broadcaster.
He starred in film Insaniyat (1967) with renowned actors Waheed Murad and Zeba, following which he also played the leading role in film Haar Gaya Insaan.
Aziz has appeared on several local television programs and morning shows, along with organising telethons for charity purposes.
The late actor also received a Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1992 for his services to the nation.
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