ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will observe a national day of mourning tomorrow (Saturday) to mark the funeral of Prince Karim Aga Khan.
The 49th hereditary imam or spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismailis passed away in Lisbon on Tuesday aged 88, leaving his followers in mourning across the world. A large number of Ismailis live in Gilgit-Baltistan with a majority of Hunza and Ghizer belonging to the community.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division stated, “Expressing profound grief on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan over the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Prime Minister has declared a national day of mourning on Saturday, February 8, 2025, coinciding with his funeral.”
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The national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country on the day, the notification added.
According to a representative of the Ismaili community, Aga Khan IV’s funeral will be held in Lisbon on Saturday.
The private ceremony will take place at the community centre in central Lisbon, attended by several hundred guests.
Following the funeral, the late prince will be laid to rest in Egypt on Sunday, as confirmed by the Ismaili Imamat.
The Aga Khan held the position of the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili community for nearly seventy years, having ascended to the role in 1957 following the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan III.
His death signifies the conclusion of a significant chapter for the Ismaili community and the broader landscape of global leadership in faith and philanthropy.