Prince Karim Aga Khan’s death great loss for the whole world: High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said this week that the demise of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was a great loss for the whole world.

“With the passing of H H Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the world has lost a visionary leader dedicated to improving lives through education, healthcare, and development. His legacy of service, pluralism, and ethical governance will continue to inspire generations,” the envoy posted on X.

Earlier, Prince Karim Aga Khan Al Hussaini, the 49th imam of Ismaili Muslims, was buried in the Egyptian city of Aswan.

His funeral at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon was attended by more than 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and former Spanish king Juan Carlos I, leaders of the Ismaili community and other dignitaries on Saturday.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan, thousands of followers of the late spiritual leader gathered at their community centres and Jamaat Khanas to view the funeral ceremony broadcast from Lisbon.

In Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar, shops and businesses remained closed to mourn the death of Prince Karim, who passed away in Lisbon after nearly seven decades as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims.

His son and successor, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, who was named the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, according to his father’s will, also attend the funeral ceremony.