Aga Khan affirms commitment to supporting development during meeting with President Zardari

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, on his first visit to Pakistan since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year, reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) commitment to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in Pakistan during a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to a statement, Prince Rahim is visiting Pakistan from May 20 to 26.

Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, Prince Rahim was received by President Asif Ali Zardari. He was presented with a guard of honour at Aiwan-i-Sadr, where he stood alongside the president as the national anthem was played.

Prince Rahim then had a meeting with the president, which was also attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, followed by delegation-level talks, according to a statement from the Presidency.

It adds that Prince Rahim’s delegation comprised Sultan Ali Allana, Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Head of Financial Services at AKDN; Shafik Sachedina, Head of the Department of Jamati Institutions; Nizar Noor Mohammed Mewawala, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan; and Akbar Ladak, Vice President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan.

A banquet was also held in the Aga Khan’s honour, attended by high-level officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, among others.

“The President appreciated the Aga Khan Development Network’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience and heritage conservation,” the statement from the Presidency said.

“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities.”

Prince Rahim thanked President Zardari for the welcome and “reaffirmed AKDN’s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan”, it added.

According to the Presidency, this is Prince Rahim’s second visit to Pakistan since 2024, when he was awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the nation’s highest civilian award — for the Aga Khan family’s contributions to the country.

Prior to his arrival, preparations in GB reached a fever pitch, prompting a large-scale mobilisation of federal and regional resources, officials said earlier on Friday.

Officials anticipate large gatherings in the Passu Cones area of Hunza; Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin. The administration is considering holding multiple sessions at certain venues to manage the expected crowds, officials told the minister.

For security and travel, the federal government has been requested to provide a bulletproof vehicle. Recommendations were also made to immediately open Babusar Road as an alternative route and to keep the National Highway Authority on alert at sensitive points.

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last February, following the death of his father, Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon at the age of 88.

The US-educated, Swiss-based Rahim has served on the boards of many agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and chairs its Environment and Climate Committee, according to the website.

The late Prince Karim is renowned in GB for his unwavering commitment to the region’s socio-economic development and efforts to lift the population out of poverty and deprivation.