The Ismaili spiritual leader meets President Zardari to strengthen humanitarian and development efforts in the country.
Image The Presidency
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V visited Pakistan for the first time since becoming the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year. During his visit from May 20 to 26, he met President Asif Ali Zardari to reaffirm the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) commitment to supporting development and humanitarian efforts.
He was warmly welcomed at Nur Khan Air Base, received a guard of honour at Aiwan-i-Sadr, and held talks with President Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
Prince Rahim’s delegation included Sultan Ali Allana, Shafik Sachedina, Nizar Noor Mohammed Mewawala, and Akbar Ladak. A banquet in his honour was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
President Zardari praised AKDN’s long-standing contributions in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience, and heritage conservation. In response, Prince Rahim reaffirmed AKDN’s ongoing support for Pakistan’s welfare and development initiatives.
This is his second visit since receiving the Nishan-i-Pakistan in 2024, succeeding his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who was renowned for decades of socio-economic development in Gilgit-Baltistan. Prince Rahim also chairs AKDN’s Environment and Climate Committee, continuing the family’s legacy of development work in Pakistan.
