ISLAMABAD, May 14: President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto have condoled the death of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.

In his condolence message to Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, on Wednesday, President Musharraf said Sadruddin Aga Khan was a great friend of Pakistan. “May Allah Almighty rest his soul in peace and grant your highness and the bereaved family the patience to bear this great loss,” he said.

His services as high commissioner for refugees would be remembered for long, the president said.

The prime minister in his message to Karim Aga Khan said: “The life and work of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan was characterized by his deep concern for suffering humanity and for his contributions towards the search for solutions to important issues of international peace and security.”

He would be remembered by the government and people as a sincere friend, the prime minister said.

Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in a letter to the widow of the deceased, Catherine Aleya Aga Khan, said Prince Sadruddin’s interest in Islamic art and environment showed the vastness of his vision and understanding.