Prince Rahim winds up Pakistan visit after week of meetings with political leadership, development assurances

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V on Tuesday departed Pakistan after completing a week-long visit, during which he met the country’s top political leadership and affirmed his commitment to development in the country. He was seen off by at the Nur Khan airbase by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who posted on X that Prince Rahim’s visit would play an “important role in further strengthening cooperation, friendship, and partnership between Pakistan and the Aga Khan Development Network”. The minister said the Aga Khan was presented with a photo album containing “memorable pictures” from his visit. He added that the government of Pakistan valued the welfare projects of the Aga Khan Development Network in the country and commended the organisation’s services in areas of the fields of education, health, social welfare and economic development. “A strong partnership for shared development, prosperity and public welfare guarantees a bright future,” Chaudhry said. Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday last week — his first to the country since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year — and was received by President Asif Ali Zardari at the Nur Khan airbase. He held discussions with both President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his stay in Pakistan. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were also present during his meeting with President Zardari on Wednesday, which was followed by delegation-level talks. During the meeting, he reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in Pakistan. A day later, he attended a breakfast meeting hosted by PM Shehbaz where he expressed the desire to continue cooperation with Pakistan in various human development initiatives, a statement issued by the PM’s Office said. The Ismaili spiritual leader reached Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, where he urged followers to strengthen unity, pu