Chitral: Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, has arrived in Lower Chitral after completing his three-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan traveled from Gilgit to Chitral by helicopter, where he was warmly received at Lower Chitral Airport by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
The visit drew significant attention in the region, with local authorities and members of the Ismaili community welcoming the spiritual leader upon his arrival. The Aga Khan family has long maintained close ties with the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, where the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has carried out extensive work in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social development.
Following the reception ceremony, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held a meeting with Prince Rahim Aga Khan at the airport. Speaking to the media afterward, the chief minister said the purpose of his visit to Lower Chitral was to personally welcome Prince Rahim Aga Khan and discuss matters related to development and government priorities.
Sohail Afridi stated that discussions during the meeting included provincial development initiatives, investment opportunities, and future cooperation in social welfare projects.
According to the chief minister, Prince Rahim Aga Khan assured the provincial government of his support for investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed interest in contributing to the region’s economic and social development.
The assurance regarding investment is being viewed positively, particularly for remote and underdeveloped areas such as Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, where infrastructure, tourism, education, and economic opportunities remain key priorities.
The Aga Khan Development Network has played a major role in improving living standards in northern Pakistan over the past several decades. Through various institutions and programs, the network has supported schools, hospitals, rural development initiatives, cultural preservation projects, and environmental programs in mountainous communities.
Residents of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan have historically maintained strong cultural and spiritual connections with the Aga Khan family. Visits by Aga Khan leaders are often regarded as highly significant events by local communities.
Officials said security and administrative arrangements were put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the visit and related activities.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s visit comes at a time when provincial authorities are seeking greater investment and development partnerships for tourism, infrastructure, hydropower, education, and social welfare in northern areas.
Analysts believe collaboration between the provincial government and organizations associated with the Aga Khan Development Network could help accelerate socio-economic progress in remote regions that face geographical and economic challenges.
The visit is also expected to strengthen ties between local communities and development institutions working in the region. Community members expressed hope that the visit would lead to further educational, healthcare, and economic opportunities for people living in Chitral and surrounding districts.
Observers note that the Aga Khan institutions have long been recognized internationally for their contribution to sustainable development, particularly in difficult mountainous regions where access to public services can be limited.
