Tariq Aziz (TV personality)

Tariq Aziz (Urdu: طارق عزیز‎, born 28 April 1936, Sahiwal) is a Pakistani television host known for his work on the quiz show Neelam Ghar, first aired in 1984, later renamed the Tariq Aziz Show and now known as Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz. His family is an Arain family of Jalandhar, British India. He received his early education in Sahiwal before starting his career at Radio Pakistan, Lahore. When Pakistan started its Television telecast in 1964 from Lahore, Aziz was the first male PTV announcer. He was the first man to be seen on a Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcast. Aziz, along with the film actress Zeba, starred in the film "Insaniyat (1967)", a Pakistani film.^[1] Aziz also starred in another Pakistani film "Haar Gaya Insaan". Aziz has appeared on several local television programs and morning shows. He has also organised telethons for charity purposes. In 1996, Aziz was elected to the National Assembly from Lahore as a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).^[2]

Entertainment career

Tariq Aziz started his career from Radio Pakistan. He was a member of the very first team of Pakistan Television (PTV) when it started its transmission in November 1964 from Lahore, Pakistan. He was the first male newscaster on PTV. He 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.^[3]

He was one of the first TV anchors to gain commercial success by using the platform of the quiz show Neelam Ghar/Tariq Aziz Show. He interviewed many notable intellectuals, sportspersons and celebrities on his shows. He once appeared recently, as a guest, and answered all the questions on the game show Inam Ghar in Pakistan, and became the first man to do this. He did this without using any help provided in these game shows to the participants.He then donated all the prizes,that he received in the game show to an organisation which works for the welfare of people.^[4]

Political career

Aziz was active in student politics during his college days and had joined Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party in 1970. However, later he parted his ways and went back to the entertainment world. In 1996, he was elected member of Pakistan National Assembly from Lahore. He was one of the political activists who were charged with attacking the Supreme Court of Pakistan building in 1997. During President Pervez Musharraf's ruling period, he joined his political party Pakistan Muslim League (Q). However, he could not attain any status of note in that party and returned to the entertainment industry. But this time his career in entertainment industry could not reach the highs of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Aziz is a philanthropist, book-lover and also did well in reciting poetry. He has also received numerous awards including the Pride of Performance Award in 1992 by the President of Pakistan for his services.

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