Aga Khan Development Network Foundation

05/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2026 06:44

His Highness the Aga Khan meets Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

His Highness the Aga Khan meets Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan · 21 May 2026 · 2 min

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif greets His Highness the Aga Khan during his official seven-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the Government.

AKDN / Akbar Hakim

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Islamabad, Pakistan, 21 May 2026 - This morning, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hosted a breakfast meeting in honour of His Highness the Aga Khan at Prime Minister House, where the two discussed topics of mutual interest including the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in Pakistan.


The Prime Minister presented a commemorative stamp issued by Pakistan Post to honour His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV for his services to Pakistan.


The Aga Khan is on an official seven-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the Government. He was received yesterday by the President of Pakistan His Excellency Asif Ali Zardari. In the coming days, His Highness will travel to meet with the Ismaili community in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.


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

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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Aga Khan Development Network Foundation published this content on May 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 21, 2026 at 12:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]