LAHORE: The all-times maestro, iconic radio-television anchor Tariq Aziz was remembered by the artist and literary community in connection with his third death anniversary.
Three years ago, Tariq Aziz passed away on June 17, 2020, at the age of 84 due to a heart attack in Lahore.
Noted educationist Professor Dr. Fakhar-ul-Haq Noori summed up the tragic feelings of demise of Aziz through the exact replication of thought of the renowned classical Urdu poet and critic Meer Taqi Meer, who once had voiced his feelings in his famous verse: ‘Mat Sahl Hamein Jano, Phirta Hai Falak Barson, Tab Khak Ke Parde Se Insaan Nikaltey Hain [Consider us not as something trivial, heavens whirl for years, before earth splits its veil, and yields forth the man].
Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar (India) on April 28, 1936 to an Arain family, and he received his primary education from the same origin. After Partition in 1947, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in district Sahiwal (Punjab), where he received his middle and secondary school education. He started his career with Radio Pakistan in 1960s as a host, and later on went to become Pakistan’s first male announcer and premier-television (PTV) host.
He was known for his work on the PTV’s Quiz Show Neelam Ghar, which was first aired in 1974, and later the same was renamed as the ‘Tariq Aziz Show’, and later was changed to ‘Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz’. Tariq Aziz, started his film career by working along with the film actor Waheed Murad and film actress Zeba, in a film “Insaniyat (1967)”.
Aziz also starred in another Pakistani film “Haar Gaya Insaan”, besides appearing in several television programmes and morning shows while organising telethons for charity purposes.
One of his famous movies was Salgirah (1969), which was a highly successful musical movie, and won two Nigar awards for the same year. His first film, Insaniyat was released in 1967, while other notable titles Aziz acted in included ’Qasam Us Waqt Ki’, ‘Katari’ and ‘Haar Gaya Insan’. As a radio, television anchor, writer, actor, social trainer and a politician, Tariq Aziz served his audience for decades through his impressive voice by disseminating universal message of peace, love, knowledge and humanity.
Paying tribute to Tariq Aziz, former chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Abrar-ul-Haq told APP that Pakistan’s entertainment industry would remain indebted to Tariq Aziz forever for being a lifelong source of knowledge to students community and entertainment to the country.
The legendary television anchor and host compered many live entertainment shows presenting various talented artists and literary icons of Pakistan, he added.
The Lahore Arts Council (LAC) director and spokesperson, Subah Sadiq, while talking to APP, said that Tariq Aziz introduced a new dimension of TV compering and he was known for his unique style and peculiar voice tone. Aziz, while serving as a true Muslim, patriotic Pakistani, played an unforgettable role of giving analytical, subjective, social and scientific knowledge to all the society quarters and would be remembered as a true patriotic Pakistani, he added.
Talking to APP, Agha Qaiser, senior producer at the PTV Lahore, paid glowing tribute to Tariq Aziz, saying: “The legendary Tariq Aziz is a reminiscence of PTV’s golden era, as an icon host of the most famous game show and remained a household name. He was not just a character rather a strong personality, who educated our four generations and no doubt he was an icon.”
Tariq Aziz also remained a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 1997 to 1999. As recognition of his services and contributions to the nation in entertainment, literary and political fields, Aziz was honoured with prestigious Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1992. Tariq Aziz was a book-lover and was good at reciting poetry.
