ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday received Prince Rahim Aga Khan V upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase. Prince Rahim is on an official visit to Pakistan.
First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari accompanied the president. This is Rahim’s first visit to Pakistan since assuming the leadership of Shia Ismaili Muslim community as the 50th Imam following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, in February 2025.
Upon arrival at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, a tri-services guard of honour comprising contingents of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force presented salute to the visiting dignitary.
Asif, Aseefa and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPP, held a meeting with Rahim, followed by delegation-level talks. The president also hosted a banquet in his honour, which was attended among others by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal and CDF Asim Munir, Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gillani, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, federal ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic community.
The president appreciated the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) longstanding contributions to Pakistan in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience and heritage conservation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with the AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities.
The president recalled the enduring association of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV with Pakistan and appreciated the historic contributions of the Aga Khan family to the country. Rahim thanked the president for the warm welcome and reaffirmed the AKDN’s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan.
Sultan Ali Allana, director Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development & head of Financial Services AKDN, Shafic Sachedina, head of department of Jamati Institutions, Nizar Noor Mohammed Mewawala, president Ismaili Council for Pakistan, and Akbar Ladak, vice president Ismaili Council for Pakistan, were part of the delegation. Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Naveed Qamar, Dr Asim Hussain and the foreign secretary also attended the meeting.
