The government of Pakistan has declared a national day of mourning on February 8, following the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community.
Expressing deep sorrow and grief over his demise, the government issued a statement acknowledging his contributions to humanitarian work and development efforts worldwide.
On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country on February 8 as a mark of respect. A formal notification in this regard has been issued by the Cabinet Division.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and a globally respected philanthropist - passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network announced on Tuesday.
“With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah’s grace on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
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In keeping with Ismaili tradition, the announcement of his successor will be made after the reading of his will in the presence of his family and senior community members.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Prince Karim Aga Khan assumed the role of Imam of the Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, at the age of 20, following the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
He led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, advocating for social progress, education, and economic development across Asia, Africa, and beyond.
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The same day, the Aga Khan Development Network announced in a statement that Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was designated the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual head, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims after the will of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was unsealed.
Prince Rahim was born on October 12, 1971, the eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah, née Sarah Croker Poole, a British former model. Together, the couple had two sons and a daughter.
As the chairman of the AKDN's Environment and Climate Committee, Prince Rahim has closely followed the activities of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the social governance organisations of the Ismaili community. He also serves on the boards of other Aga Khan Development Network entities.
