President lauds Aga Khan’s services for peace, stability, humanity

ISLAMABAD (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday said that Prince Karim Aga Khan was rendering invaluable services for global peace and stability, brotherhood, tolerance as well as for the welfare of humanity in different parts of the world, including Pakistan.

The president said this while talking to Prince Karim Aga Khan, who along with his daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan and a delegation called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

On his arrival at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Mamnoon warmly received Prince Karim that followed the guard of honour.

Minister for CADD Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and senior officials were also present in the meeting.

The president said Aga Khan Foundation was rendering commendable services in the fields of education, health and for rural development in various parts of the country.

He asked Prince Karim to extend the development activities of AKDN in other parts of the country apart from Sindh and northern areas, which was agreed to by the visiting dignitary.

President Mamnoon appreciated the services of the Aga Khan Foundation during the 2005 earthquake and noted that his Grandfather Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan was a close companion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who rendered valuable services during the Freedom Movement.

While thanking the president for warm welcome, the Aga Khan said that he was thankful to the people and the government of Pakistan for the warm hospitality.

He apprised the president about future development projects of Aga Khan Foundation.

He said his institution had devised a comprehensive strategy to improve the standard of education in Pakistan, adding that in that regard the Aga Khan Medical University would be transformed into a full-fledged university in which more academic departments would be established in line with the current requirements.

Aga Khan calls on PM

Separately, Prince Karim called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

The prime minister appreciated his role for promoting peace and interfaith harmony among Muslims, and his valuable contributions towards social, economic and cultural development of the country.

The PM presented a special first-day cover consisting of six stamps illustrating the contribution of AKDN in the country. The stamps commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Imamat of His Highness the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan also offered to build a university and a nursing college in collaboration with the government, in Islamabad.