Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: June 15, 2023 | 
| 中文
Tariq Aziz engaging with the audience in his famous show 'Neelam Ghar' (Picture credits to Ahmed Mansoor Khan)
If you are in your 40s and have grown-up watching Pakistan Television (PTV), the name of Tariq Aziz would be synonymous with pure entertainment and information. Famous as the host of Neelam Ghar, considered the father of modern television game shows, Tariq Aziz would trade prizes for information and unusual games. Sponsors were dying to have their products advertised by him, and he was engaging the entire nation with his antics for a full hour every week. Be it a product from Electra, a water cooler, a Suzuki Car or the concluding chant of Pakistan Zindabad, Tariq Aziz was the true ambassador of Pakistani products.
Tariq Aziz with his signature style in Neelam Ghar
Long before he mesmerized the audience with Neelam Ghar (later renamed the Tariq Aziz Show), he was selected by the legendary broadcaster Aslam Azhar, known as the pioneer of Pakistan Television. After appearing as the first person on television in November 1964, Tariq Aziz became part of every household. Later, he read news, hosted quiz shows, answered fan mails and even acted in films, but television remained the first love for him, which gave him an identity and helped him when he hit the rock bottom.
Tariq Aziz and Bushra Ansari (Picture credits to Ahmed Mansoor Khan)
Very few are aware of his mercurial rise to a television celebrity. Tariq Aziz along with the legendary educationist late Dr. Mehdi Hassan, came to Lahore from Sahiwal in the ‘50s. Both friends were born in Jullundur, India in the late ‘30s, and had migrated to Sahiwal around the time when Pakistan came into being. After their initial education, they moved to Lahore to try their luck, and Tariq ended up getting a job as an announcer on Radio Pakistan. At that time, Radio Pakistan was the only source of entertainment and news, and it had come into being after legendary broadcaster Mustafa Hamdani had announced Pakistan’s independence at the stroke of midnight on 13 Aug, 1947. Before that, it was simply known as All India Radio.
Tariq Aziz singing with other colleagues from the industry
He never forgot the pains and hardships he had to endure during the early days of his career. Working as an announcer in Radio, he had the chance to learn a lot from Mustafa Hamdani, whom he considered his guru. Tariq became his protégé and learnt the art of powerful delivery from him. As Radio paid a mere 150 rupees a month (5 rupees a day), Tariq along with Mehdi Hassan (who was paid 15 rupees more at PPI), were always short of cash. Socialist ideas kept him from getting his promotions, so he remained an announcer for a few years. Mehdi and Tariq were living a hand-to-mouth life, until a night, Tariq was shouted at. Both shared a room in a hostel for low-income staff; sweepers lived close by. It was just a room with two charpoys; one night a sweeper took over all the available rooms for the guests of his wedding. Tariq tried to get back to his bed, yet he was sworn at by the drunken sweeper. After being insulted by a sweeper, Tariq decided to leave the job for something better. He had slept in a park, skipped meals due to non-availability of cash, walked miles to save money and endured job-less days, however, the insult was too much for him. He was due for an interview on television the following morning, and his unshaved face, devil-may-care attitude and swollen eyes got him a job. Aslam Azhar, true to his reputation, had spotted the talent in Tariq Aziz, his disheveled appearance notwithstanding. There was one hurdle, they wanted to see him smile, for which he replied, ‘hansi ka taluq dil ki khushi se hota hai’ (How can I smile, one has to be happy in order to smile). His selection was finalized and he was asked how much salary did he want. ‘I can get food 100 miles away in my home, but came to Lahore to claim what I was worth. I can join you guys even if I get a rupee extra from my Radio pay, it would give me a sense of victory’.
Tariq Aziz with his wife, Hajira
He was selected and his salary was fixed at 500 rupees, and all changed for the better for him. Followed by months of training and grooming, he appeared on television in 1964, as the first announcer and remained attached to the medium for over 50 years. He soon became the face of PTV and his charismatic personality attracted viewers. He tried his luck at acting in films and went to star in dozens. His notable works are Hamraaz (1967) with Muhammad Ali, Saalgirah (1969) with Waheed Murad, Soughat (1970) with Nadeem and Baharo ki Manzil (1972) with Shahid.
(L to R) Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Molana Kausar Niazi and Tariq Aziz
By 1970, he had become close to Zulfikaar Ali Bhutto, but he later joined PML(N) and was sent to jail for a few months for storming the Supreme Court in 1997. After his release, fate took him to Karachi where his show Neelam Ghar began in 1974. Tariq Aziz entertained generations with his program for decades, and when Neelam Ghar was being aired, traffic was less on the road. The program continued by the same name until the turn of the century, but the name was changed to Tariq Aziz Show and later re-named Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz.
Tariq Aziz’s personality and dedication to his job was the secret behind his success. As the son of Mian Abdul Aziz, a.k.a Abdul Aziz Pakistani, for Mian sahib added Pakistani with his name from the day Chaudhry Rehmat Ali had coined it. Mian Sahib had to leave his government job due to his ideals and Tariq Aziz also had to pay for his. He did manage to become an MNA, but the attack on the Supreme Court in 1997, made him regret his actions.
Tariq Aziz with Arif Rana, the producer of Neelam Ghar
At his death in June 2020, whatever belonged to him was donated to the Government of Pakistan. His life story is an example for Pakistanis, who give up easily. Tariq braved poverty and nepotism in his life, yet he came out with flying colours. Whenever there is a Pakistan Zindabad, many would simply raise their hands like Tariq Aziz used to do, in his trademark style.
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