Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, has concluded his seven-day official visit to Pakistan, undertaken on the invitation of the Government of Pakistan.
During the visit, Prince Rahim traveled to Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, where he met members of the Ismaili community as well as senior federal and provincial officials. His engagements focused on development cooperation, education, and community welfare.
Upon arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. He was later accorded a guard of honour at the Presidency, where a state banquet was hosted in his honour attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, senior ministers, parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps.
Prince Rahim also held a bilateral meeting with President Zardari, reaffirming the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) commitment to humanitarian and development work in Pakistan. He was later hosted for a breakfast meeting by the prime minister.
During his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, he visited several regions including Hunza, Gilgit, Gahkuch Bala and Passu, where he interacted with local communities and emphasized education, especially for girls, peaceful coexistence, and ethical values in social life.
In Chitral, he met provincial leadership including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, discussing development opportunities and regional cooperation.
The visit concluded with his departure from Islamabad, where he was seen off by Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Ismaili community leaders. This marked his first official visit to Pakistan since assuming leadership of the Ismaili community.
The visit is seen as reinforcing longstanding ties between the Ismaili community and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of development, education, and social welfare.
