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MNA and famous television show host Aamir Liaquat Husain has passed away in Karachi, DIG East Muquddas Haider told Dawn.com on Thursday. He was 50.
The police officer said Husain’s condition deteriorated early in the morning after which he was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
He added that preliminary reports show no foul play, however, a post-mortem examination of the politician will be conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf adjourned the session, which started earlier today, till 5pm tomorrow (Friday) after receiving news of the lawmaker’s death.
Liaquat is survived by two children and was married thrice.
He joined the PTI in March 2018 and was elected as MNA from Karachi in the general elections held later that year. He had later fallen out with the party.
He had earlier been a key leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and had parted ways with the party in August 2016, saying at the time that he would be leaving politics.
Liaquat’s true claim to fame, however, came from the years he spent in the media limelight. In 2001, he joined Geo TV where he hosted Aalim Online, a religious programme that gained him a large following.
In the years that followed, Liaquat hosted Ramazan transmissions on both Geo TV and Bol News. The last show he hosted was Bol House with Amir Liaquat.
His antics in his Ramazan transmissions were fodder for social media memes, and contributed an air of infamy to his stature.
He faced multiple controversies in his career as a television host. A number of his shows were temporarily banned by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) over hate speech. In 2018, the Islamabad High Court had barred him from making any appearance on electronic media.
Husain’s love life had also remained at the centre of the public’s fascination. His last two marriages — and very public separations — dominated news cycles and social media chatter.
Condolences pour in
News of his death triggered an outpouring of grief.
President Dr Arif Alvi expressed deep grief and sorrow at Liaquat’s sudden death. In a statement on Twitter, he prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.
“The President expressed sympathy and [prayed for the strength of] the family [to bear the loss],” it added.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his shock at the news. “Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain led a dynamic life from journalism to politics. He proved his mettle in various fields of life from writing and speech,” he said.
The National Assembly released condolence messages from Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durani.
In their messages, they expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over the “sad demise of the late MNA and paid rich tributes to his political and social services”.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and spokesperson Murtaza Wahab also extended their condolences to the family of the deceased MNA.
Meanwhile, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid prayed for the bereaved family.
PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan also prayed for the grieving family. “May God forgive him and bestow his family and loved ones with patience,” he said.
Former Sindh governor Imran Ismail said that Liaquat played an important role in the political journey of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, recalling that he always shared a good relationship with the MNA, even after he resigned from the party.
Liaquat’s third wife, Syeda Dania Shah was among those who offered condolences. She prayed for her ex-husband’s forgiveness and that he be granted a place in Jannatul Firdous.