MNA Aamir Liaquat passes away in Karachi: police

MNA and famous television show host Aamir Liaquat Husain has passed away in Karachi, DIG East Muquddas Haider told on Thursday. He was 49.

Staff Reporter

The police officer said Husain’s condition deteriorated early in the morning after which he was moved to the Aga Khan University Hospital, where he was later declared dead. He added that initial reports show no foul play; however, the 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 on Friday after receiving news of the MNA’s death.

Liaquat is survived by two children and was married thrice.

He had 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 had been working in the media industry for several years now. In 2001, he joined Geo TV where he hosted Aalim Online, a religious programme that gained him a large following.

Over the past few years, Liaquat had hosted Ramazan transmissions on both Geo TV and Bol News. The last show he hosted was Bol House with Amir Liaquat.

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 the electronic media.

Condolences pour in

Immediately after the news was reported, condolences started pouring in from various segments of society.

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,” it added.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was shocked 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.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and spokesperson Murtaza Wahab also extended their condolences toward 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.

On the other hand, journalist Waseem Abbasi called the news “extremely sad”.