His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Islamabad on official visit

His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Islamabad on official visit

AKDN / Rahim Imtiaz Ali

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Islamabad, Pakistan, 20 May 2026 - His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan arrived today in Islamabad on an official seven-day visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Upon his arrival, His Highness was received by the President of Pakistan, His Excellency Asif Ali Zardari and his daughter First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Also present were Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information; Saleem Mandviwalla, Member of the Senate; Sultan Ali Allana, Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development; and the senior leadership of the Ismaili Community in Pakistan.

The President and His Highness travelled together to Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) where a guard of honour was presented. Following a bilateral meeting, President Zardari hosted a banquet in honour of His Highness's visit this evening.

Guests at the banquet included Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal and Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir, Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah. Also in attendance were federal ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic community.

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

During his visit, His Highness will meet with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and other government officials and will meet with members of the Ismaili community in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

Notes to Editors

In 2024, President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the nation's highest civilian award, upon Prince Rahim Aga Khan, in recognition of the Aga Khan family's longstanding contributions to Pakistan. His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV also received this honour in 1983. Other recipients of the award include Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela.

His Highness the Aga Khan is the Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has been working in Pakistan since 1905. AKDN agencies complement the efforts of the Government and have received several national and international awards for their successful programmes. Through its social, economic and cultural institutions, the AKDN works across key sectors including health and nutrition, education, civil society, heritage conservation, climate change response, early childhood development, access to finance and economic development.

The Ismaili community is present across all provinces of Pakistan and has been in the region for centuries. The community is widely recognised for its voluntary service and contributions towards improving quality of life and supporting the country's development. The community upholds a strong tradition of civic engagement and responsible citizenship, reflecting the core values of Islam, including service, peace, compassion and care for vulnerable communities.

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