Aamir Liaquat Hussain

Education and fraudulent degrees In 2002, Hussain stated in his nomination forms for that year's general election that he held a bachelor's degree in Islamic studies from Trinity College and University. It was later reported that Hussain had purchased the degree in order to become eligible for election to the National Assembly. In 2003, The Guardian reported that Trinity College and University offered degrees that could be obtained within 28 days for as little as £125.

In 2005, the University of Karachi declared that his degree was not recognised.

In 2015, it was reported that Hussain had obtained a fake degree from Ashwood University, According to the Federal Investigation Agency, his profile was found in the main server of Axact, a company known for selling fraudulent degrees. In June 2015, he admitted to purchasing the fake degree from Ashwood University for $1136.

Political career

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (2002–2008) Hussain was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in the 2002 general election as a member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for the NA-249 constituency in Karachi. In September 2004, he was appointed Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Zakat and Ushr Division in the cabinet of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. In May 2005, he called on religious scholars to issue a fatwa on suicide bombings. In June 2005, he was attacked by a group of youths during a visit to Jamia Binoria. Police later stated that no physical altercation had occurred, and that the crowd had only chanted slogans.

Hussain served as Minister of State for Religious Affairs until July 2007, when he resigned from the National Assembly, citing personal reasons. In 2008, MQM officially expelled him, alleging that he had promoted views that went against the party's values.

In August 2016, Hussain was detained by Sindh Rangers following the attack on media houses by MQM workers and the arrest of MQM leaders. In February 2017, an Anti-Terrorism Court ordered that Hussain be placed on the Exit Control List after he was charged with facilitating hate speech for helping organise a speech by MQM founder Altaf Hussain.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (2018–2021) Hussain joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in March 2018. He was re-elected to the National Assembly as the PTI candidate for NA-245 (Karachi East-IV) in the 2018 general election. On 4 October 2021, he resigned from his seat and announced his departure from the party.

On 6 April 2022, Hussain tweeted that he was "extremely embarrassed" for having betrayed Altaf Hussain, suggesting a potential return to MQM.

Media career Hussain was a radio broadcaster on FM101. In 2001, he joined Geo TV and began hosting the religious program Aalim Online. and joined ARY Digital Network as managing director of ARY Qtv and as executive director of ARY Digital. He also hosted religious program Aalim Aur Aalam on the network. After returning to Geo TV, and Amaan Ramazan in 2013. In January 2014, he became the vice-president of Geo TV and hosted the game show Inaam Ghar.

Hussain founded the Memhooda Sultana Foundation.

In June 2014, Hussain joined the Express Media Group as president and group editor of religious content on Daily Express, and hosted Pakistan Ramazan. He later rejoined Geo TV, where he began hosting Subh-e-Pakistan in November 2014. He became president of Geo Entertainment in November 2015.

In 2016, Hussain joined the BOL media group and began hosting the current affairs programme Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga. In 2017, he hosted Ramazan Mein BOL and Game Show Aisay Chalay Ga. He left the network in November 2017.

In January 2016, it was reported that Hussain would make his Pakistani film debut alongside Saima Noor in an upcoming film directed by Syed Noor. In April 2019, he announced that he would portray Burhan Wani in Ayub Khoso's upcoming film based on the Kashmir conflict. In 2019, he joined the Pakistan Television Corporation. In April 2020, he started hosting the game show Jeeway Pakistan on Express TV.

Controversies In 2008, Hussain was criticised for hosting a television special in which two guest scholars declared Ahmadi Muslims, a minority sect of Islam, to be "deserving of death". Several commentators argued that Hussain bore some responsibility for the killings, The claim was criticised by viewers and media outlets.

In 2011, a compilation of behind-the-scenes footage from Hussain's show was leaked online. In the footage, he used profanities, downplayed the severity of rape and suicide, and mocked guests. Hussain claimed that the video had been doctored and released either by his former employer, Geo TV, or by opposing religious groups.

In 2013, Hussain was criticised for giving away abandoned infants as prizes during his game show Amaan Ramazan, which critics argued was an attempt to boost the show's ratings. Childless couples were chosen as contestants, and background checks were carried out by the Chhipa Welfare Association. Child welfare advocates expressed concern that other shows would imitate the initiative and that the children and their families could face stigma because of the publicity surrounding the adoptions. Hussain denied that the initiative was intended to increase ratings, calling it a "noble cause". Geo TV later apologized for the incident, stating that the remarks violated the network's code of conduct. Five days after the broadcast, an Ahmadi man was shot and killed in Gujranwala.

In June 2016, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended Hussain from hosting his Ramadan programme for three days after an episode of the show depicting the suicide of a young girl led to hundreds of complaints from viewers.

In January 2017, social activist and lawyer Mohammad Jibran Nasir filed a complaint with PEMRA, alleging that Hussain had conducted a "malicious, defamatory and life endangering campaign" against him. PEMRA subsequently banned Hussain from appearing on the BOL News network in any capacity, citing hundreds of complaints about his hateful remarks. Later that month, Hussain alleged that actor Om Puri had been murdered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

In March 2017, Amnesty International criticised Pakistan's government for failing to act against Hussain over remarks that allegedly endangered lives of journalists, and bloggers, and social activists, and called on Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan to take action. The same month, PEMRA directed Hussain to issue an on-air apology for previous hate speech.

On 12 December 2017, it was announced that Hussain would return to television on 24 News HD. The following day, however, PEMRA banned him from appearing in all broadcast media over allegations of hate speech. The ban was lifted by the Supreme Court on 7 February 2018. On 26 May 2018, Hussain received a 30-day ban from PEMRA for inciting "unwarranted drama on the basis of religion."

In May 2020, Hussain apologised for insensitive comments about the deaths of actress Sridevi and actor Irrfan Khan.

Personal life Hussain was married three times. In June 2018, he married Tuba Anwar; the marriage lasted about three years. In February 2022, he married 18-year-old Dania Shah. In May 2022, Shah filed for divorce after three months of marriage. In December 2022, Shah was arrested by the FIA for leaking his private data on social media.

Death Hussain died on 9 June 2022 in Karachi. According to a household servant, Hussain was heard screaming in pain from his locked room. After receiving no response, the servant forced the door open and found him unconscious. Hussain was taken to Agha Khan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His funeral prayer was held on 10 June 2022 and was led by his son Ahmed Aamir. He was buried at Abdullah Shah Ghazi graveyard.

Hussain's family refused to consent to an autopsy. On 16 August 2022, the same court annulled the order, and no autopsy was performed.

Publications Hussain's publications include: Merī āvāz sāre zamāne kī ṣadā hai, ,1989, 64 p. Patriotic poetry. Islam and terrorism : an historical and theological enquiry, ، 2002, 142 p. Hamārī mān̲ K̲h̲adīja tul Kubrá, ، 2009, 900 p. On the life and eminence of Khadījah, d. ca. 619, first wife of Muhammad, d. 632. Lāʼūḍ ispīkar, ، 2009, 2 volumes. Collection of articles on social and political conditions of Pakistan; published from 2005 to 2008 in Daily Jang, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Ās̲ār-i qiyāmat, ، 2010, 2 volumes. On the Judgment Day in Islam.