ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a six-day official visit to Pakistan, continuing until 26th May.
The visit was formally confirmed by the Presidency, with arrangements made at federal level to ensure full state protocol. He landed at Nur Khan Airbase, where he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari, reflecting the ceremonial importance of the occasion. Also present at the reception were First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and senior civil and military officials.
Children dressed in traditional attire presented flowers to the visiting dignitary, while a formal guard of honour was observed as the national anthem was played at the President House in Islamabad.
اسماعیلی برادری کے روحانی پیشوا پرنس رحیم آغا خان اسلام آباد پہنچ گئے ۔ صدر آصف علی زرداری نے نور خان ایئربیس پر معزز مہمان کا استقبال کیا ۔ خاتون اول محترمہ آصفہ بھٹو زرداری بھی صدر مملکت کے ہمراہ تھیں ۔روائیتی ثقافتی لباس میں ملبوس بچوں نے معزز مہمان کو پھول پیش کیے۔ وفاقی وزیر… pic.twitter.com/vW4QzLAn6w
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 20, 2026Upon arrival, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V was escorted under high-level protocol arrangements to the capital, where he was received with formal state honours. The ceremony at the President House featured a guard of honour, with President Zardari standing alongside the visiting dignitary during the national anthem.
The Presidency confirmed that the visit spans six days and includes engagements with federal authorities as well as representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan. Officials noted that discussions are expected to focus on development cooperation, institutional collaboration, and community welfare initiatives.
According to official statements, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V will remain in Pakistan from May 20 to May 26, with a series of scheduled meetings in Islamabad. These include discussions with government representatives and officials from Gilgit-Baltistan Gilgit-Baltistan, where preparations for the visit have reportedly intensified in recent days.
Officials in Gilgit-Baltistan have indicated that large-scale mobilisation of resources has been underway in anticipation of the visit. Federal and regional coordination efforts have been stepped up to facilitate meetings and related activities during the tour.
The visit is the first by Prince Rahim Aga Khan V since he became the 50th Imam of the Ismaili community, a position that carries spiritual leadership for millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide. His itinerary in Pakistan is expected to include consultations on development initiatives, community programmes, and institutional partnerships across multiple sectors.