BY:WAQAR HUSSAIN
On the final day of his visit to Pakistan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, at his official residence in Islamabad. Welcoming him, the Prime Minister thanked Prince Rahim for the work that AKDN is doing for the wellbeing of the people of Pakistan. He also expressed his deep appreciation for the role that Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III, played in the creation of Pakistan. Prince Rahim was accompanied by Mr Sultan Ali Allana, Director of AKFED, and Shafik Sachedina, who heads the Department of Diplomatic Affairs of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Prince Rahim is on a five-day visit to the country to meet with government and AKDN leadership, and to visit new AKDN projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan on Prince Rahim for his “untiring efforts to improving the quality of life of peoples in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa”. As the nation’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-i-Pakistan recognises individuals who have rendered services of the highest distinction to the country.
“I am honoured to accept such a distinguished award on behalf of the Aga Khan Development Network, my colleagues, our staff, and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Pakistan,” Prince Rahim said upon receiving the honour. “I express my warmest gratitude to the President and Government of Pakistan for this immense recognition.”
During the visit, Prince Rahim met with various government officials, including the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Gulbar Khan, to discuss matters of mutual interest and the work of AKDN in the country.
On 8 June, Prince Rahim travelled to Hunza, where he officially opened a Software Technology Park in Nasirabad and visited the Duiker Solar Power Plant. The Software Technology Park will provide an uninterrupted power supply, high-speed internet, and a co-working space for small and growing start-ups, freelancers, and chambers of commerce. And the solar power plant, which is commencing work on a second phase of the project, will provide increased electricity supply to approximately 20,000 people in Hunza. Both of these projects are significant contributions to enhancing the overall quality of life in the region.
Yesterday, in Gilgit, Prince Rahim inaugurated a new regional headquarters for HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB) in Gilgit-Baltistan. A blend of modern architecture and local cultural elements, the new building meets some of the highest international standards of green construction, and underlines the Bank’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and local community development.
