KARACHI, Dec 4: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, Prince Karim Aga Khan, said that his family and the Aga Khan Development Network would continue to play their role towards the progress of Pakistan.

He was speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour by the Sindh Chief Minister, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, at the Chief Minister House here on Sunday.

The lunch was also attended by acting President Mohammadmian Soomro, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, Speaker Sindh Assembly Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, and chief justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Sabihuddin, provincial ministers, MPAs, government officials and members of the Ismaili community.

The Aga Khan said that his family had been living in Sindh for centuries and considered serving the people of this area as their responsibility.

“We want to see better living standards and human development in Pakistan as life is important for every citizen”, he added.

The Aga Khan said we wanted to move ahead with development in every sphere of life.

He stated that Pakistan was a great country and the Aga Khan Foundation had launched a comprehensive programme for the socio-economic uplift of the country.

The prince pointed out that health and education were two important areas in which headway was being made.

He termed the two sectors in question as the prerequisite for the development and prosperity of any country.

The prince said that the Aga Khan Foundation had established important institutions and was giving priority to areas such as rural development, micro-credit, heath and education.

The Aga Khan pointed out that every citizen was benefiting through these programmes and thus they could take advantage of such projects for a better future.

He pointed out that there was a need for working on numerous projects in Pakistan.

The Aga Khan also called for fostering the spirit of unity, brotherhood and amity.

On the occasion, on behalf of the Ismaili community, he also assured cooperation in several projects in the country and especially in Sindh.

He said that the Aga Khan University had attained a prominent place among the prominent varsities of the world and educational institutions by achieving quality and standard.

The Aga Khan stressed the need to look into the historical perspective of the Muslim Ummah.

He thanked the Sindh government for providing a vast piece of land to the Aga Khan Foundation in the Education City.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that it was a great privilege to welcome Prince Karim Aga Khan here at the Chief Minister House.

He said his visit to Pakistan was aimed at expressing solidarity with the Pakistani nation in this hour of need.

The chief minister acknowledged the services of the Aga Khan and his foundation for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

He said it was pertinent to mention here that His Highness Aga Hassan Ali Khan migrated from Iran in 1840 to the small village of Jherk in district Thatta and His Highness Sir Sultan Mohammad was born in Karachi. In this way there were deep-rooted relationships between the Aga Khans and Sindh.

Dr Arbab pointed out that Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah was generally known as the Aga Khan and his contributions to the establishment of Pakistan were known to all.

He led a successful Simla deputation which ultimately resulted in the formation of the All India Muslim League, the chief minister added.

Dr Arbab said that following the tradition of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan’s contribution revolved round the education sector.

The Aga Khan University of Health Sciences has become the icon of high quality health services and education in Pakistan, he noted.

The chief minister observed that the Aga Khan Foundation had established various health centres and educational institutions all over Pakistan and was contributing towards the uplift of the rural population of the country.

The chief minister said in appreciation of the services of the Aga Khan Foundation in the education sector, the Sindh government on the directives of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had provided 1,000 acres of land in the Education City.—APP