Legendary actor and TV host Tariq Aziz has died

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Veteran actor and host Tariq Aziz passed away peacefully at home in Lahore on Wednesday. He was 84.

Born in Jalandhar in 1936, Aziz was a film actor, television show host and politician. His quiz show, Neelam Ghar, became iconic after it first aired in 1974 and continued for nearly four decades.

Aziz also set the tone for Pakistan's state broadcaster with his distinct baritone voice as one of PTV's first announcers when it began transmission in the 1960s, after beginning his career at Radio Pakistan.

He was awarded the Pride of Performance Award in 1992, and also served as a member of the National Assembly on PML-N ticket from Lahore between 1997 and 1999.

His funeral will be held in Lahore's Garden Town today.

Condolences poured in for Aziz on social media following the news of his death. Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was "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," he wrote on Twitter.

Former national cricket captain Javed Miandad added, "A great human being Tariq Aziz left us today, prayers for his forgiveness."

Fahad Mustafa, who hosts game show Jeeto Pakistan, said it was the end of an era.

Radio Pakistan, where Aziz began his career, also remembered the star.