Islamabad, February 9, 2025: President Asif Ali Zardari has left for Lisbon, Portugal, to extend condolences to His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the revered leader of the Ismaili Muslim community.
A statement from the President’s House confirmed that President Zardari will personally convey his sympathies to Prince Rahim Aga Khan, who has now assumed the role of the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili community following his father’s passing.
During his visit, President Zardari will also meet with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to discuss bilateral relations and pay tribute to the late Aga Khan’s contributions to global development, humanitarian efforts, and interfaith harmony.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV passed away in Lisbon on Wednesday at the age of 88. His leadership of the Ismaili community spanned over six decades, during which he played a pivotal role in education, health, and socio-economic development worldwide through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The Ismaili Muslim community, tracing its spiritual lineage over 1,400 years, has historically been led by a living hereditary Imam. The community, numbering approximately 12 to 15 million people across 35 countries, continues to uphold the late Aga Khan’s vision of service, knowledge, and pluralism under the guidance of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.
