Pakistan president meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, condoles over death of his ‘visionary' father
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday met with Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, in Portugal's capital Lisbon and extended his condolences over the death of his 'visionary' father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The late Aga Khan IV, who led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, passed away last week at the age of 88. His death was announced by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Ismaili religious community.
A private funeral service took place at the Ismaili community center in Lisbon on Saturday, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Spanish King Juan Carlos, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. He was laid to rest on Sunday at a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt.
Following the late Aga Khan's passing, his eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, 53, was named the Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili community, in accordance with his father's will.
'Remembering the late Aga Khan as a visionary leader and humanitarian, the President praised his exceptional contributions to education, health care, and poverty alleviation,' the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
'He highlighted the Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) lasting impact, including its vital role in Pakistan's progress, particularly in underserved regions.'
Founded by the late Ismaili leader, the AKDN has been instrumental in various development projects in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions.
Initiatives such as the Aga Khan Rural Support Program have focused on poverty alleviation, health care, education and cultural preservation, significantly contributing to the socio-economic development of these areas. The Ismaili community in Pakistan, numbering in hundreds of thousands, has benefited from these initiatives, which have also had a positive impact on the national economy through improved infrastructure and human development.
During Monday's meeting, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V thanked the Pakistan president for his condolences and reaffirmed his family's commitment to continuing the mission of service and development, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
Zardari will also meet his Portuguese counterpart during his trip to the country, according to Pakistani state media.
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