Prince Rahim concludes visit to Pakistan after high-level engagements with political leaders

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, left Pakistan on Tuesday after concluding his seven-day official visit, during which he held a series of meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation between the country and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry bid farewell to Prince Rahim at Nur Khan Air Base, where the two exchanged warm gestures of goodwill.

According to Chaudhry’s post on X, Prince Rahim was presented with a special photo album containing images of key engagements and memorable moments from the visit.

On the occasion, Chaudhry praised the contributions of AKDN to the development of Pakistan, particularly in the fields of welfare, education and economic upliftment.

He said the government highly values ​​AKDN’s social, educational and developmental initiatives across the country.

The minister added that Prince Rahim’s visit will further strengthen the partnership and cooperation between Pakistan and the AKDN.

Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on an official visit, where he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari at Noor Khan Air Base. First lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied the president.

This was Prince Rahim’s first visit to Pakistan since he assumed leadership of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community as the 50th Imam following the death of his father, Karim Aga Khan IV, in February 2025.

The President also hosted a banquet in his honour, which was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, other officials, federal ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic community.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz also hosted a breakfast for Prince Rahim, during which he encouraged the AKDN to deepen and broaden its partnership with Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Chitral, where its institutional presence and community outreach were highly valued.

Prince Rahim also visited Britain, where he received a grand welcome upon his arrival at Gilgit airport on Friday. He also met Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

Also read: PM Shehbaz urges AKDN to expand partnership with Pakistan in meeting with Aga Khan

Prince Rahim thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome extended to him in Pakistan and expressed his desire to continue cooperation with the country on various human development initiatives.

Prince Rahim’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2024, when the president conferred on him the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, in recognition of the Aga Khan family’s long-standing contributions to Pakistan.