ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, Prince Karim Aga Khan, Friday pledged enhanced support for Chitral and called for working unitedly to build a common future.

“Over the years ahead, we will be working together to change the quality and nature of the economy of the Northern Areas,” the Aga Khan said while speaking to a large gathering in Chitral.

He pledged to assist the population to look for new opportunities to improve the quality of life.

The Aga Khan spoke, during short visits to Garam Chashma and Booni, of the need to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural production, to improve access to quality health, education and diversify the economy.

Urging the people to look to commerce, tourism and other entrepreneurial activities and not to rely exclusively on agriculture, he indicated that institutions of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) would be increasing their support in a number of sectors, including microcredit, education and health care.

He observed, however, that it would be vital for such development to occur in a collaborative manner involving the government and people of the region.

He said: “It is essential that we all come together in a common space for reflection to make solutions applicable and available to all the people.”

In his remarks, the spiritual leader also warned against the dangers of undesirable social habits, strongly urging people to avoid consuming or trading in drugs.

Reiterating the central role of education, the Aga Khan placed particular emphasis on the need for women to seek education, on the importance of quality education, and on ensuring that education remained a lifelong process.

He said that the AKDN had planned to expand opportunities, particularly for secondary education.

Making particular reference to Chitral’s distinctive traditions and heritage, the Aga Khan expressed the hope that buildings, music, literature and other expressions of culture would be protected and made productive.

Earlier, the Aga Khan was welcomed on arrival at Chitral airport by the District Nazim Prince Mohinuddin, local officials and leaders of the Ismaili community. Recognizing the work of institutions of the AKDN in the district over the past 19 years, the Nazim expressed warm appreciation to the Aga Khan for the commitment of his institutions to all the people of the region.—APP