DNA

Islamabad: 20 May: President Asif Ali Zardari today received His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V upon his arrival at Noor Khan Airbase on an official visit to Pakistan. First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari accompanied the President.

This is Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s first visit to Pakistan since assuming leadership of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community as the 50th Imam following the passing of his father, His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, in February 2025.

Upon arrival at Aiwan-e-Sadr, a tri-services guard of honour comprising contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force was presented to the visiting dignitary.

President Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPP, held a meeting with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, followed by delegation-level talks. The President also hosted a banquet in his honour, which was attended among others by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir COAS & CDF, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, federal ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic community.

The President appreciated the Aga Khan Development Network’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience and heritage conservation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities.

The President recalled the enduring association of late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV with Pakistan and appreciated the historic contributions of the Aga Khan family to the country.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan thanked the President for the warm welcome and reaffirmed AKDN’s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan.

Prince Rahim’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2024, when the President conferred upon him the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the nation’s highest civilian award, in recognition of Aga Khan family’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan.

Mr Sultan Ali Allana, Director Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development & Head of Financial Services AKDN; Mr Shafic Sachedina, Head of Department of Jamati Institutions; Mr Nizar Noor Mohammed Mewawala, President Ismaili Council for Pakistan and Mr Akbar Ladak, Vice President Ismaili Council for Pakistan, were part of the delegation.

Chairman PPP, and former Foreign Minister, Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari; First Lady, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari; Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Mr Naveed Qamar, MNA, Dr Asim Hussain and Foreign Secretary also attended the meeting.