The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the nation’s highest civilian award, on Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The award recognizes individuals who have rendered services of the highest distinction to
Pakistan, and was given at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President’s official residence in Islamabad.
Prince Rahim was on his visit to Pakistan to review AKDN projects in renewable energy, microfinance, and information technology, as well as meet government officials and leaders of the Aga Khan
Development Network (AKDN) and the Ismaili community.
Noting Prince Rahim’s role as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic
Development and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network’s Environment and Climate
Committee, the award citation states:
“Prince Rahim Aga Khan, through his many leadership roles within the Aga Khan Development
Network, has, for more than a quarter century, dedicated his untiring efforts to improving the quality
of life of peoples in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa…His engagement in
assuring that initiatives impacting the economic, health, educational, and cultural well-being of poor
and marginalized communities respond to evolving and contemporary needs, upholds a
multigenerational legacy that traces its origins, in Pakistan, to the founding of the nation.”
Upon receiving the Nishan-e-Pakistan, Prince Rahim said: “I am honored to accept such a
distinguished award on behalf of the Aga Khan Development Network, my colleagues, our staff, and
the many volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Pakistan. I express my
warmest gratitude to the President and Government of Pakistan for this immense recognition.”
