Aamir Liaquat

 

The entirety of Pakistan felt a shock of dread as news broke of renowned television host turned politician Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s death. Reportedly - Javaid who was his servant - found him unconscious at his Karachi residence. It was upon his arrival at the hospital that he was immediately pronounced dead. As of 9th June 2022, his body has been shifted to Jinnah hospital, Karachi for post-mortem. Additionally, he elected to be buried at his parents’ side at the mausoleum of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. The dates for funeral proceedings would be announced shortly.

Allegedly, Dr. Aamir had been complaining about chest pain since Wednesday night and had been mourning over the separation of him and his ex-wife. He accused her of having betrayed him and perhaps even having cast a black magic spell. Further, he reportedly announced that his demise was imminent. He refused to unlock his door when requested to by his servant. Another member of his residential staff reported hearing a scream from Dr. Aamir’s room a day prior.

With his career and personal life shrouded in controversy, the nation exhibits a divided feeling over his demise. The outspoken televangelist had once been banned for hate speech and come under scrutiny on multiple occasions on account of his activities on social media. In the last days of his life, his third marriage with 18-year old Dania Shah came to an abrupt end due to the former’s allegations of domestic abuse and drug addiction. These claims however were refuted by Aamir Liaquat Hussain who subsequently expressed his sadness over the comments made about him on social media and had announced that he would be leaving the country.

Nevertheless, Hussain was indeed popular among a certain audience. He was undoubtedly an articulate speaker whose broadcasts were brilliantly scripted. They involved sermons and giveaways of vehicles, electronics and even abandoned infants. These activities were equally admired and admonished in was in these broadcasts that he’d often make false statements against certain individuals thereby inciting trouble.

As an aftermath of his 2008 broadcast dedicated to the study of the Ahmedi sect’s beliefs – where two scholars deemed Ahmedis “worthy of death” – a renowned member of the community in question was murdered. He was once forced to resign from parliament for having deemed novelist Salman Rushdi as “worthy of death”. Additionally, the anchor had often made sexist remarks aimed towards female artists, writers and activists based in Pakistan.

Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s life came to an unceremonious end. In his last message, he stated

 “Everyone has tarnished my reputation for the sake of a girl whose interviews should not have been conducted at all. She filed for divorce and I was complying with it –“. 

He further stated, 

“These new YouTubers and so called journalists who have stepped in [to give coverage to Dania] have done great injustice to Pakistan. I am now unable face my very own children. I have no choice but to exit the country.”

For all he was, the reaction to his demise was certainly divided, he received condolences from politicians and citizens alike. However, there were some Pakistanis who chose not to refrain from speaking ill of him despite his passing away. But he was after all, a beloved father of two children. A certain netizen commented on the matter by stating: “The only difference between Aamir Liaquat and you that speak ill of him after his demise is that his sins were unfortunately out in the open but yours are still hidden.”