Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in Gilgit-Baltistan on landmark Pakistan visit

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday as part of his week-long official visit to Pakistan, his first since becoming the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community in 2025. He was welcomed at Gilgit airport by senior civil and military officials, including caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad.

The visit has sparked extensive preparations across Gilgit-Baltistan, with authorities mobilising federal and regional resources to manage expected public gatherings in Hunza, Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin. Officials are considering multiple sessions at some venues due to anticipated crowds.

Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on May 20 and was received at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Since then, he has held meetings with President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif focused on development cooperation, education, climate resilience, and human welfare initiatives through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

The spiritual leader is expected to remain in Pakistan until May 26, visiting Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral while attending religious and community gatherings. This marks his second visit to Pakistan since 2024, when he was awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan in recognition of the Aga Khan family’s long-standing contributions to education, healthcare, and social development in the country.