His Highness the Aga Khan has concluded a seven-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He travelled from Islamabad to the northern regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, meeting the Ismaili community and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments.
He was welcomed at the Nur Khan Airbase by His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari before travelling to the President's residence, where he received a guard of honour. President Zardari later hosted a state banquet in his honour, attended by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and others.
His Highness met with President Zardari and reaffirmed AKDN's commitment to supporting development and humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. This was followed by a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who praised His Highness's commitment to peace, stability and development. The Prime Minister presented him with a commemorative stamp issued by Pakistan Post to honour the legacy of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, as a global visionary and humanitarian, and for his services to Pakistan.
On 22 May, His Highness travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan, where he was received by the Governor and senior officials. He met with members of the Ismaili community, emphasising the importance of unity, lifelong education – particularly for girls – peaceful coexistence and ethical conduct.
In Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), His Highness was received by Governor of KP Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, alongside Deputy Speaker of the KP Assembly Suraya Bibi and other senior officials. They discussed opportunities for continued collaboration and development in the province. He also met the Ismaili community in Parwak and Garam Chashma.
The visit reaffirmed the deep and enduring relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the people and Government of Pakistan.
Photos: AKDN / Akbar Hakim, Rahil Imtiaz Ali