His Highness the Aga Khan’s Official Visit to Pakistan | May 2026

From 20 to 26 May 2026, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan made his first official visit to Pakistan since becoming the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at the invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In Islamabad, His Highness was received at Nur Khan Airbase by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. At Aiwan-e-Sadr, he was presented with a guard of honour before a bilateral meeting with President Zardari, during which he reaffirmed AKDN's commitment to supporting development and humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. In honour of His Highness’s visit, President Zardari hosted a state banquet attended by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, senior officials, parliamentarians and the diplomatic community. Prime Minister Sharif later hosted His Highness for breakfast at Prime Minister House, presenting him with a commemorative stamp issued by Pakistan Post honouring the legacy of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. His Highness then travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, meeting the Ismaili community in Passu, Gilgit, Gahkuch Bala, Taus, Parwak and Garam Chashma, and meeting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi about continued collaboration. This short film revisits key moments from the visit.