Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Wednesday concluded a seven-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the government, during which he traveled from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral and met members of the Ismaili community as well as senior federal and provincial officials, according to a statement.
On his arrival, he was received at Nur Khan Airbase by His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, before traveling to Aiwan-e-Sadr where he was presented with a guard of honour.
President Zardari hosted a state banquet in his honor attended by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, senior ministers, parliamentarians and the diplomatic community.
His Highness held a bilateral meeting with President Zardari where he reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) commitment to support development and humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. This was followed by a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif who praised His Highness’ commitment to peace, stability and development.
The Prime Minister presented His Highness with a commemorative stamp issued by Pakistan Post to honor the legacy of His Highness the Late Aga Khan IV, as a global visionary and humanitarian, and for his services to Pakistan.
His Highness traveled to Gilgit-Baltistan on May 22, where he was received by the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and senior civil and military officials. Over the course of three days, he met with members of the Ismaili community across congregations in Passu, Gilgit, Gahkuch Bala and Taus.
He stressed the importance of unity, lifelong education – especially for girls – peaceful coexistence and ethical behavior in professional and civil life.
He also emphasized that our faith is based on the concept of Tawhid, that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last messenger of Allah and the importance of remaining steadfast on Sirat-al-Mustaqeem.
In Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), His Highness was received at Chitral Airport by Governor of KP Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, along with Deputy Speaker of KP Assembly Suraya Bibi and other senior officials.
During meetings with the governor and the chief minister, possibilities for continued cooperation and development in the province were discussed. His Highness also met with the Ismaili community in Parwak and Garamchashma.
His Highness was seen off at the airport by Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry along with leaders of the Ismaili community.
This was His Highness’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming the role of the 50th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim Community. The visit confirmed the deep and enduring relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the people and government of Pakistan.
