GILGIT: Aga Khan V, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, has assured that Ismaili institutions and agencies will continue to support the Gilgit-Baltistan government and local communities in recovering from recent flood damages and building resilience to face future challenges.
In a letter to the G-B Chief Minister dated August 20, the Aga Khan expressed his “heartfelt sympathy for the devastating losses suffered by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as a result of the recent flash floods and related disasters.”
“I am in close contact with our Council and the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan, and I continue to monitor the situation as more such events are witnessed each day,” the letter read.
He said that he was especially sad to hear about the deaths of the volunteers near Gilgit who were working to restore the water supply infrastructure to their communities. “I pray that their souls may rest in eternal peace, and that the bereaved families may have the strength to bear their immense loss,” he added.
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Referring to a letter dated July 24 from the Chief Minister seeking assistance for recovery and restoration, Prince Rahim highlighted that since the time of his great-grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and first president of the Pakistan Muslim League, the Ismaili Imamat has sought to play an integral role in the development and progress of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
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“This region remains close to my heart, and I assure you that the institutions and agencies of the Ismaili Imamat will continue to support the government and local communities to recover from the recent damages as well as to build resilience to face future challenges with greater strength and anticipation,” the letter said.
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The Aga Khan added that efforts would be guided by the damage surveys conducted by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, alongside assessments by Ismaili institutions. He said that the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies would use their skills and experience to work closely with the affected communities to address current humanitarian needs and strengthen local disaster resilience.
Prince Rahim expressed hope that these combined relief efforts would help ease the suffering of the affected communities.
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Earlier, on July 24, G-B Chief Minister Gulbar Khan had written to Prince Rahim Aga Khan, seeking support from the AKDN following the recent flash floods that caused widespread devastation across Gilgit-Baltistan.