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State Guest Status: President Zardari Hosts Grand Banquet for Aga Khan V to Review AKDN Development Work
In his first official tour since becoming the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrived in Islamabad on a seven-day state visit. Received with a guard of honour by President Asif Ali Zardari and honored at a state banquet attended by PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Aga Khan reaffirmed the AKDN's enduring commitment to supporting healthcare, education, and climate resilience projects before heading to Gilgit-Baltistan for historic community gatherings
ND
by News Desk
2026-05-21
State Guest Status: President Zardari Hosts Grand Banquet for Aga Khan V to Review AKDN Development Work

Detailed Report

  • A Historic Maiden Visit: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a week-long official state visit to Pakistan. The trip marks a profoundly emotional milestone for the country’s Ismaili Muslim community, as it is Prince Rahim's first tour to Pakistan since assuming leadership as the 50th hereditary Imam following the passing of his father, the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

  • The Red-Carpet State Welcome: Upon touching down at the Nur Khan Airbase, the spiritual leader was personally received by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Prince Rahim was later accorded state guest status at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where he reviewed a traditional tri-services guard of honour presented by contingents of the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force, followed by formal high-level delegation talks alongside PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
  • Elite Gathering at State Banquet: To celebrate the dignitary's arrival, President Zardari hosted a grand official banquet at the Presidency. The high-profile gathering was attended by the country's top civil-military leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani.
  • Reaffirming the Social Partnership: During the formal discussions, Prince Rahim reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) long-term institutional commitment to expanding humanitarian and developmental projects across Pakistan. President Zardari lauded the Aga Khan family's decades-long contributions toward uplifting vulnerable communities through healthcare, higher education, heritage conservation, and climate change resilience, recalling the legacy of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who was previously honored with the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
  • Heading to the Northern Frontier: Following the completion of the Islamabad leg of his trip, the Aga Khan will travel directly to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral from May 21 to 25. Local administrations have finalized extensive security and logistics arrangements for major public gatherings—historically referred to as Didar—expected to draw tens of thousands of followers across Passu in Hunza, Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin.
Tagged:

#PrinceRahim #AgaKhanV #AKDN #PresidentZardari #AsimMunir #IsmailiImamat #GilgitBaltistan #Hunza #PakistanDevelopment #BreakingNewsPakistan
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