ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hosted a breakfast for Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, during which he encouraged the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to deepen and broaden its partnership with Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Chitral.
The Prime Minister warmly welcomed Prince Rahim, who is on his first official visit to Pakistan, and appreciated his commitment to fostering peace, stability and constructive engagement with governments and international partners, besides assuring him of Pakistan’s shared commitment to these ideals.
The Prime Minister highlighted the long-standing partnership between Pakistan and AKDN and lauded its contributions in the areas of rural development, healthcare, education, disaster resilience, climate adaptation, renewable energy, digital skills training and youth entrepreneurship.
He particularly appreciated the effective work of the AKDN in Britain and Chitral, especially in isolated and vulnerable communities.
The Prime Minister welcomed the increased engagement with the Aga Khan University (AKU), highlighting its major contributions in the areas of health and higher education.
Acknowledging Prince Rahim’s advocacy for environmental stewardship, the Prime Minister emphasized that AKDN remains a natural and trusted partner in Pakistan’s efforts to build climate resilience, particularly in the glacier-vulnerable northern regions.
He thanked the Aga Khan for his visit to Pakistan and assured him that Pakistan would always remain his second home, while expressing hope that his regular visits would further strengthen the long-standing ties between Pakistan and the Ismaili community.
The Prime Minister also extended his sincere condolences on the death of Prince Rahim’s father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, paying tribute to the deceased’s enduring humanitarian legacy and his long-standing association with Pakistan spanning almost seven decades.
The Prime Minister also presented a commemorative postal stamp issued by Pakistan Post to honor the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV for his services to Pakistan.
Prince Rahim thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome extended to him in Pakistan and expressed his desire to continue cooperation with Pakistan in various human development initiatives.
