Zulfiqar Ahmad
Islamabad, May 20, 2026: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday hosted a grand banquet in honour of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims.
This is Aga Khan’s first official visit to Pakistan since he assumed the role of Imam following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, last year.
The banquet held at the Presidency was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, members of the federal cabinet, senior foreign diplomats, and prominent leaders of the Ismaili Imamat.
The event highlighted Pakistan’s enduring ties with the Aga Khan family and the Ismaili community, which has played a pivotal role in the country’s development.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday. Upon landing at Nur Khan Airbase, he was received by President Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, and later welcomed at the Presidency by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
A ceremonial honour guard was presented at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, with the national anthem played as the Imam was flanked by the President.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, Prince Rahim’s visit will continue until May 26, during which he is scheduled to meet the country’s senior leadership, including representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
After his arrival at the Presidency, Prince Rahim held a meeting with President Zardari, which was also attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, followed by delegation-level talks.
“The President appreciated the AKDN’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience, and heritage conservation,” the statement said.
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities.”
Prince Rahim, in turn, thanked President Zardari for the warm welcome and “reaffirmed AKDN’s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan.”
According to the Presidency, this marks Prince Rahim’s second visit to Pakistan since 2024, when he was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan – the country’s highest civilian honour – in recognition of the Aga Khan family’s contributions to the nation.
The visit is seen as a continuation of the close engagement between the Aga Khan institution and Pakistan, particularly in socio-economic and developmental initiatives.
Preparations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral have been extensive, with the Ismaili community mobilising resources to manage the anticipated crowds, as His Highness is set to give “didar” – the physical sight of the Imam – to his followers in the region.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who is US-educated and based in Portugal, is the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and serves as Chair of the AKDN.
In his role, he oversees the Network’s global initiatives in education, healthcare, culture, environment, and economic development, while also guiding the spiritual and social welfare of millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide.
His father, Aga Khan IV, enjoyed a longstanding reputation in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and other parts of the country, for championing socio-economic development, education, and poverty alleviation – a legacy that continues to shape the initiatives of the Aga Khan institutions in the region.