Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Pakistan's 'wah wah' meme legend, dies

PAKISTANI politician and popular television host Aamir Liaquat Hussain on Thursday (9) passed away in his home town Karachi, leaving the country’s political and celebrity circles in deep shock.

Hussain, who was a few weeks away from turning 51, was a former member of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and served as a member of the country’s National Assembly between 2002 and 2007 and 2018 and 2022.

He was found unconscious at his residence in Khudad Colony and taken to a private hospital in critical condition, Pakistan’s Geo News reported.

Hussain reportedly felt uneasy on Wednesday (8) night but refused to go to the hospital. His employee Javed said a scream was heard from his room on Thursday morning. The domestic staff then broke down the room’s door after finding no response from Hussain, Geo News added. He was declared dead at the hospital.

Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif; chief minister of the province of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah; former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan foreign minister and chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Imran Khan were among the top politicians who condoled Hussain’s death.

Pakistani television anchor Wasim Badami expressed grief over Hussain's death, posting broken hearts on his Twitter.

The Express Tribune daily reported that National Assembly speaker Pervaiz Ashraf confirmed the reports of Hussain’s demise and postponed the session of the House to honour the man.

The proceedings of the House were adjourned till 5 pm on Friday (10), it reported.

The police said Hussain’s body will be taken to Jinnah Hospital or Civil Hospital for post-mortem after it will be handed over to his immediate family.

Hussain, who was a member of Muttahida Qaumi Movement before joining the PTI and served as a state minister during the rule of General Pervez Musharraf, will be remembered as the man behind the popular ‘Wah-Wah’ memes.

Hussain quit the PTI in October last year.

He was also a popular television host and anchor and listed in the 500 Most Influential Muslims Worldwide three times and the 100 Most Popular Personalities of Pakistan. Throughout his life, he had been a very controversial figure in both politics and on television.