Aga Khan Ends Pakistan Visit With Development Focus
Prince Rahim Aga Khan concluded a seven-day official visit to Pakistan on Wednesday after a series of high-level engagements in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, placing renewed attention on development cooperation, community outreach and Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with the Aga Khan Development Network.
The visit began in the federal capital, where Prince Rahim was received by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari at Nur Khan Airbase. He was later accorded a guard of honour at Aiwan-e-Sadr, reflecting the official importance attached to the visit by the Government of Pakistan.
During his stay, President Zardari hosted a state banquet attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, senior cabinet members, parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic community. The engagements focused on strengthening institutional ties and reaffirming cooperation in social development.
According to official accounts of the meetings, Prince Rahim reiterated the Aga Khan Development Network’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and development initiatives in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the Aga Khan’s contribution to peace, stability and development, while presenting a commemorative stamp honouring the legacy of the late Aga Khan IV and his services to the country.
A major part of the visit centred on northern Pakistan, where the Aga Khan travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan and met community members in Passu, Gilgit, Gahkuch Bala and Taus. His message focused on unity, lifelong learning, girls’ education, ethical conduct and peaceful coexistence, themes that carry particular relevance in regions where AKDN institutions have long supported education, health and local development.
In Chitral, Prince Rahim was welcomed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and other provincial officials. Discussions there covered future cooperation and development opportunities, while meetings with Ismaili community members in Parwak and Garamchashma underscored the spiritual and social dimensions of the visit.
The trip was significant because it marked Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming the role of the 50th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community. His engagements highlighted the continuity of a relationship that has historically combined faith leadership, humanitarian work and development partnerships across multiple regions of Pakistan.
For Pakistan, the visit carries broader importance beyond ceremonial diplomacy. AKDN-linked programmes in education, healthcare, cultural preservation, rural development and financial inclusion have had a visible footprint in several parts of the country, particularly in mountainous and underserved areas where public-private cooperation remains essential.
As Prince Rahim departed Pakistan, officials and community leaders framed the visit as a reaffirmation of enduring cooperation. The next phase is expected to focus on translating the discussions into continued collaboration in human development, education, community resilience and social welfare projects across Pakistan.