In a prestigious ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the esteemed Nishan-e-Pakistan award upon Prince Rahim Aga Khan. The event was attended by numerous prominent figures and dignitaries.
The Nishan-e-Pakistan, one of the highest civilian honors in Pakistan, was awarded to Prince Rahim in recognition of his visionary leadership and transformative initiatives across various sectors in the country.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Prince Rahim has significantly contributed to enhancing commercial banking, microfinance, insurance, sustainable tourism, and renewable energy in Pakistan. His efforts have driven economic development and promoted environmental stewardship by establishing policies and practices to combat climate change.
Historically, the Aga Khan family has played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the Muslims of India. Aga Khan III’s efforts led to the founding of the All India Muslim League in 1906, giving Muslims a political voice, with Aga Khan III serving as its first president. The family’s contributions to the struggle for Pakistan’s creation and their friendship with Quaid-e-Azam have been honored by history.
Today, the Aga Khan family continues their legacy of working for the welfare of the people of Pakistan with selflessness and dedication. Prince Rahim Aga Khan, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, has spent over 25 years improving the quality of life for people in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa. His leadership within the AKDN has been instrumental in initiatives focused on economic development, health, education, and cultural well-being, addressing the evolving needs of poor and marginalized communities.
Under Prince Rahim’s leadership, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development has pioneered significant advancements in Pakistan’s commercial banking, microfinance, insurance, sustainable tourism, and renewable energy sectors. Emphasizing financial inclusion, the fund has provided access to financial services to nearly 50 million people in Pakistan.
As the founding chairman of the AKDN’s Climate and Environment Committee, Prince Rahim has championed environmental stewardship policies and best practices to address climate change, making it a central theme across the network’s activities. The AKDN’s support for the people of Pakistan was especially evident following the devastating floods of 2022.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s meritorious services and his role in Pakistan’s development, continued progress, upliftment, prosperity, and betterment have earned him this distinguished honor. The Nishan-e-Pakistan award recognizes his enduring impact on Pakistan’s socioeconomic fabric.
