On December 13, Shia Ismaili Muslims throughout Pakistan will mark the 87th birthday of their revered 49th spiritual leader, Prince Karim Aga Khan, often hailed as the “cordial well-wisher” of Pakistan.
Followers of Prince Karim Aga Khan are dispersed across Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Badin, and Tandoallahiyar districts of Sindh, while in Karachi and northern regions, a substantial number of his adherents significantly contribute to the social and economic development of the country.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, the grandson of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, has consistently stood at the forefront whenever Pakistan required his support. Over the years, his network of institutions, collectively known as the Aga Khan Development Network, played a pivotal role in the nation’s development. He extended aid to the Pakistan government during the 2006 earthquake in Azad Kashmir, the 2010 flash flood, and the 1999 cyclone.
His institutions reportedly assisted the Pakistan government in navigating the FATF grey list situation. His grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, was a champion of the Muslim emancipation movement that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, representing the global Muslim community, has consistently portrayed a positive image of humanity. His commendable services span education, healthcare, refugee rights, and cultural heritage preservation.
The Aga Khan Development Network stands as a symbolic testament to his contributions. He also established a microfinance bank to support the sustainable livelihoods of the less fortunate. Credible sources within the development agency revealed that Aga Khan University has initiated a research project in Matiyari, in addition to significant contributions to the health sector across the country.
Historical roots trace Aga Khan’s lineage from the Fatimid of Egypt, with his forefathers moving from Egypt to Iran and eventually settling in Sindh in 1843. In Sindh, his great-great-grandfather, Aga Hassan Ali Shah, established residence in Jhirk town of Thatta district. Prince Karim Aga Khan’s grandfather served as the first President of the Muslim League, founding chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, and played a pivotal role in securing Gwadar port for Pakistan.
Various events, including awareness sessions, seminars, and musical concerts, are scheduled within the Ismaili community nationwide to commemorate Prince Karim Aga Khan’s birth anniversary. During the Seerat Conference in Pakistan in 1976, he emphasized the adherence to the principles of Islam and the teachings of the Holy Prophet for sustained development.
