• Agrees to establish university and hospital in Peshawar
• Commits to coordinated and sustained partnership with provincial administration to eradicate poverty
• Mining potential, expansion of tourism sector also discussed

CHITRAL: Khyber Pakht­u­n­khwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday met visiting Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V at Lower Chitral Airport, where the latter assured them of investment in the province.

Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a week-long visit, his first to the country since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year.

The KP governor and chief minister saw off Prince Rahim at Chitral Airport as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community concluded his three-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

Talking to reporters at Chitral Airport, Governor Kundi and CM Afridi praised the Aga Khan Foundation’s impactful role in regional development.

They said they held extensive discussions with Prince Rahim regarding investment opportunities in the province.

They added that they discussed the potential for mining and mineral exploration, the sustainable development of natural resources, as well as the expansion of the tourism sector.

Both leaders highlighted that numerous sectors offered immense potential for collaborative ventures between the provincial government and the Aga Khan Foundation.

Prince Rahim agreed to establish an Aga Khan university and hospital in Peshawar.

‘Eliminating poverty’

Paying rich tributes to the foundation’s ongoing development initiatives in Chitral, the KP governor and chief minister commended

its dedication to transforming the province’s most marginalised areas.

They said the Aga Khan assured the provincial administration of an integrated, long-term working relationship aimed at systematically eliminating poverty and backwardness in the region.

Earlier, upon his arrival in Garam Chashma via a flight from GB, members of the Ismaili community accorded him a warm welcome by beautifully decorating the congregation ground in the Drosh area to receive their leader.

Addressing his followers at the venue, Prince Rahim urged the congregation to maintain unwavering faith in Almighty Allah.

The spiritual leader clarified that in times of distress, trouble or difficulty, believers must call upon Allah alone.

Alongside spiritual guidance, Prince Rahim stressed the need for early childhood development to prepare children to cope with the challenges of the modern age.

He appreciated the KP

government and district administration for providing support to members of the Ismaili community and its development network.

The Ismaili spiritual leader arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, where he urged followers to strengthen unity, pursue education and remain steadfast in faith.

Addressing a large gathering of community members in the Passu area of Hunza, Prince Rahim emphasised the importance of harmony within families and society, stating that strong and united families form the foundation of a prosperous and happy community.

“When families and communities remain united, they become stronger and happier — and the Imam will also be happy,” he told the gathering.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2026