Lisbon (Web Desk): Lisbon (Web Desk/Agencies): President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in here on Monday and offered condolences to Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini following the death of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan.
He expressed his heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, saying that the nation mourned the loss of a “true friend” and “great philanthropist.
The president said that he had deeply been touched by the passing of the late Aga Khan, with whom he had personal relations.
He lauded the late Aga Khan’s contributions to Pakistan’s social and economic development, particularly in health care, education, community development, and poverty alleviation.
“His visionary leadership improved the lives of people in Pakistan and other regions of the world,” the president added.
President Zardari informed that he was on an official visit to China when he learned of the Aga Khan’s passing.
He said that he was visiting Lisbon to pay tribute to the late Prince Karim Agha Khan lifelong dedication to philanthropy and humanitarian work, adding that his services to humanity would always be remembered.
The President expressed the hope that Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini would continue his father’s mission to serve the cause of humanity.
The President is on a visit to Lisbon to offer condolences and pay tribute to the life of the Late Prince Karim Aga Khan, who was dedicated to philanthropy and the welfare of the people.
His visit also underscores the deep and enduring friendship between Pakistan and the Aga Khan family and the lasting impact of Prince Karim Agha Khan’s legacy.
Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis, was laid to rest in Egypt's Aswan city on Sunday.
According to international media, private burial service was held in Aswa, where his family, including his son Prince Rahim Aga Khan, now the 50th Imam, gathered to honour his memory.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, born in Switzerland and raised in Nairobi, was not only renowned for his wealth and passion for horse racing but also for his immense contributions to global development.
As the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, he devoted much of his life to improving the lives of people in Asia and Africa through initiatives spearheaded by the Aga Khan Development Network.
His legacy of service was recognized internationally, earning him multiple awards, honorary degrees, and accolades for his humanitarian work.
Prince Karim’s leadership transcended national borders, and he was particularly noted for his work in Pakistan, where he received the country’s highest civilian honours.
Throughout his life, the Aga Khan was dedicated to improving education, healthcare, and cultural preservation, among other causes.
His legacy will live on through the work of the AKDN, and his family will continue to uphold the values he set forth, ensuring his vision for a better world remains alive for generations to come.
