Prince karim agha khan gilgit

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Prince Karim entrusted his followers with the power of knowledge and education, encouraging them to take up books and pens. He has also issued directives for all official events to be conducted with simplicity.

In his condolence message, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan paid rich tribute to the remarkable services of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, highlighting his unparalleled contributions to humanity worldwide — particularly in health, education, humanitarian work, and cultural heritage preservation in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He emphasised that the void left by Prince Karim Aga Khan’s passing is irreplaceable.

He particularly urged his followers in Gilgit-Baltistan to live in respect and harmony with members of other religious communities. Across Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and beyond, his visionary leadership reshaped education, healthcare, culture, tourism, and financial systems, leaving an indelible mark on millions.

His approach was not merely about building infrastructure but about empowering communities to take charge of their futures.

The Muslim world offers deep roots in a system of values, emphasizing service, charity and a sense of common responsibility… The ex-Communist world…, made important investments in social welfare, with particular emphasis on the status of women, and was able to achieve impressive social cohesion.”

Prince Karim Aga Khan

Similarly, His Highness also discoursed the idea of constructive encounters between diverse cultures and pluralistic communities.

Thousands of volunteers trained by Focus provided disaster relief and recovery assistance during floods, earthquakes, and other crises. Main focus of his initiatives was excellence, innovation, meritocracy, and impact-oriented services and replicability of services and institutions reaching out to all communities.

Historic visit to G-B

Prince Aga Khan IV became the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in 1957.

During this period, the national flag will remain at half-mast on all government buildings across Gilgit-Baltistan.

Additionally, the Chief Minister has declared February 6 as a public holiday in honour of His Highness. Prince Karim Aga Khan’s passing is undoubtedly a great loss, but history shows that communities with strong leadership and traditions tend to maintain continuity.

The Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP) provided clean drinking water, reducing waterborne diseases by 60%.

A vision for sustainable peace

His Highness championed the coexistence of diverse cultures and pluralistic communities, emphasizing constructive dialogue among different societal groups.

Ethnic tensions between different ethnicities resurfaced as different groups vied for power, while religion, once practiced secretly, re-emerged as a visible societal force.

The West has many strengths, prominent among them are science and democracy, liberal economics. In 1960, he made history as the first Imam to visit Gilgit, Ghizer, and Hunza.

Despite his immense religious, social, and global stature, Prince Karim Aga Khan was always a champion of peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.

Under his leadership, the Ismaili community became a symbol of peaceful, progressive, and civilized coexistence.

But the question arises: will this legacy continue after his passing? I believe that Prince Karim Aga Khan’s passing marks the end of a glorious era—an era defined by philanthropy, knowledge, tolerance, and service to humanity.

Significant investments in infrastructure, food supplies, and social services under the Soviet Union created a well-educated and resourceful population that contributed both locally and across the Soviet Union.

However, after the Soviet collapse, the loss of subsidies-which had covered most of the Republic’s budget and up to 80% of food supplies in remote areas- led to widespread hunger, fuel shortages, and uncertainty.

Particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, where a significant number of his followers reside, the atmosphere is one of mourning. In response, the Government of Pakistan declared February 8 as a day of national mourning, while the Gilgit-Baltistan administration announced three days of mourning and a public holiday on February 6, symbolizing solidarity with the Ismaili community.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, one of the most encouraging aspects of the mourning period has been the united expression of grief from leaders of all religious and political affiliations.

He stressed to community leaders that solutions should be accessible to all, regardless of ethnic and geographic background, and urged communities to collaborate rather than focus on differences. In other words, they should first catch up with the national standard of living.” He added that achieving this might transform the region into a “microeconomic area” in 15 to 20 years, fostering stability and economic soundness in this geopolitically sensitive region.

AKRSP introduced micro-projects with immediate impact, fostering economic resilience.

His work earned admiration from all quarters, inspiring generations to embrace progress with compassion and integrity.

From establishing world-class institutions to pioneering community-driven initiatives, his contributions transcended borders and sectors.

As we reflect on his life, we celebrate not just his achievements but the values he embodied: empowerment, equity, and ethical governance.

Continuing legacy

Building on the luminous legacy of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III—the founding President of the All-India Muslim League and a benefactor of Pakistan—Prince Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV revitalised and expanded his network’s support for Pakistan.

By prioritising quality of services and quality of life, he created a model of development that was both sustainable and inclusive. His Highness emphasized the hardworking and resilient nature of the region’s people, highlighting their quick adaptation to development efforts.

Cultural preservation and innovation

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture spearheaded the restoration of iconic landmarks such as Baltit, Altit, Shigar, and Khaplu Forts, linking heritage preservation with economic growth.

Disaster resilience

Recognizing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, His Highness pioneered disaster preparedness initiatives through Focus Humanitarian Assistance.