NEW YORK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The prime minister warmly welcomed Prince Rahim Aga Khan and fondly recalled their meeting during his visit to Pakistan earlier this year.
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s commitment to maintaining Pakistan’s longstanding friendly and positive relations and reaffirmed his resolve to continue working closely with him towards shared objectives of peace, stability and development.
The prime minister also appreciated the longstanding contributions of the Ismaili community to Pakistan’s socio-economic development and highlighted its valuable tradition of service and civic engagement.
He praised the contributions of institutions associated with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in promoting financial inclusion, tourism, preservation of cultural heritage and economic empowerment through local community participation.
The prime minister stressed the importance of fully utilising opportunities for greater cooperation in these areas to promote sustainable and inclusive development in Pakistan.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan thanked the prime minister for his warm sentiments and appreciated his efforts to promote regional peace and stability at a time when the wider region is facing conflict.
He reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the AKDN.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan also expressed his desire to continue and expand cooperation for the welfare of the people of Pakistan in various areas of human development, particularly healthcare, education, climate resilience and sustainable socio-economic development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Prince Rahim Aga Khan to visit Pakistan regularly to further strengthen and deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation built over several decades.