Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Spiritual Leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on his first visit to Pakistan since succeeding his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan, last year. The Imam landed at Noor Khan Airbase, where he was received by President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan Neezar Noor Ali Meva Wala, and Wazir Akber Ali Sultan Ali Allana, among other dignitaries.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s visit marks his first official trip to Pakistan as Imam of the Shia Ismaili community, which has a significant presence in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and other parts of the country.
According to sources within the Ismaili community, the spiritual leader will meet with federal government officials in Islamabad before embarking on a five-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. During the tour, he is scheduled to hold large religious gatherings and address his followers. He will also meet representatives of the provincial governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral to discuss matters of mutual interest and development.
In the northern areas, Ismaili followers are eagerly awaiting his arrival, with celebrations already underway to mark the occasion. The Aga Khan has historically played a prominent role in social and economic development initiatives in Pakistan through the Aga Khan Development Network, particularly in education, healthcare, and rural development in underserved regions.