Aga Khan discusses Pakistan’s economic, social uplift with Zardari

By Our Special Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Oct 13: Prince Karim Aga Khan, founder of the Aga Khan Development Network and spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, here on Tuesday met with President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed matters of mutual interest, including economic and social development of the country.

His Highness Prince Aga Khan discusses economic and development issues with Presidents Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-i-Sadar in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The two leaders discussed possibilities of cooperation in communication links between Pakistan and Central Asian states.

Sources told GBT that President Zardari sought help of the Aga Khan in the construction of Pak-Tajikistan road through Chitral.

The two leaders also discussed the possibility of cooperation in developing education city in Karachi.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Acting Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira as well as representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Earlier on his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport from Tajikstan, the Aga Khan was received by Mr Kaira and the Aga Khan National Council for Pakistan president Iqbal Waljee and other officials.

In Tajikstan the Aga Khan and Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Gulomov inaugurated an urban park in Khorog, the main city of mountainous Gorno-Badakshan Automomous Oblast (province).
“The park is not only a place of beauty to be enjoyed by many generations of future citizens and visitors to Khorog,” said the Aga Khan, “it is also one of the earliest symbols of the processes of change for which I hope and pray in this region.”

Interim Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira and The Aga Khan National Council President Iqbal Waljee recieve Prince Aga Khan on his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Tuesday.

The revitalization of the $4 million Khorog Park, the main municipal green space, was undertaken over the last five years by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), in collaboration with the Governorate of GBAO.

The first phase of the park construction was completed in 2007. The project has created 65 jobs and employed an additional 120 people during the five years of construction. Forty people were trained in stone masonry during this period. Local sourcing of construction materials has also had a significant impact on the local economy.