Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, on his first visit to Pakistan since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year, reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) commitment to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in Pakistan during a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to a statement, Prince Rahim is visiting Pakistan from May 20 to 26.

Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, Prince Rahim was received by President Asif Ali Zardari. He was presented with a guard of honour at Aiwan-i-Sadr, where he stood alongside the president as the national anthem was played.

Prince Rahim then had a meeting with the president, which was also attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, followed by delegation-level talks, according to a statement from the Presidency.

It adds that Prince Rahim’s delegation comprised Sultan Ali Allana, Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Head of Financial Services at AKDN; Shafik Sachedina, Head of the Department of Jamati Institutions; Nizar Noor Mohammed Mewawala, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan; and Akbar Ladak, Vice President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan.

A banquet was also held in the Aga Khan’s honour, attended by high-level officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, among others.

“The President appreciated the Aga Khan Development Network’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience and heritage conservation,” the statement from the Presidency said.

“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities.”

Prince Rahim thanked President Zardari for the welcome and “reaffirmed AKDN’s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan”, it added.

According to the Presidency, this is Prince Rahim’s second visit to Pakistan since 2024, when he was awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the nation’s highest civilian award — for the Aga Khan family’s contributions to the country.

Prior to his arrival, preparations in GB reached a fever pitch, prompting a large-scale mobilisation of federal and regional resources, officials said earlier on Friday.

Officials anticipate large gatherings in the Passu Cones area of Hunza; Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin. The administration is considering holding multiple sessions at certain venues to manage the expected crowds, officials told the minister.

For security and travel, the federal government has been requested to provide a bulletproof vehicle. Recommendations were also made to immediately open Babusar Road as an alternative route and to keep the National Highway Authority on alert at sensitive points.

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last February, following the death of his father, Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon at the age of 88.

The US-educated, Swiss-based Rahim has served on the boards of many agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and chairs its Environment and Climate Committee, according to the website.

The late Prince Karim is renowned in GB for his unwavering commitment to the region’s socio-economic development and efforts to lift the population out of poverty and deprivation.

The Pakis­tan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday maintained its renewed bullish momentum as the market gained over 1,900 points.

The benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1,934.74 points or 1.19 per cent to close at 164,831.42 points from the previous close of 162,896.68.

The market dipped to an intraday low of 162,895.74 shortly after opening, eventually reaching an intraday high of 165,081.69 at 3:20pm, gaining 2185 points from yesterday.

Topline Securities Limited noted that “investor sentiment rebounded sharply” and that the market experienced significant intraday movement.

“Improved market confidence was largely driven by easing tensions between Iran and the United States, alongside a decline in international oil prices,” it pointed out.

The positive performance was mainly supported by heavyweight stocks, including Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited (FFC), United Bank Limited (UBL), Engro Holdings Limited (ENGROH), and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), which “collectively added 836 points to the benchmark index and played a pivotal role in sustaining the market’s bullish momentum”, Topline said.

“Market participation with total traded volume reaching 386 million shares, while total turnover stood at Rs20.1 billion. SSGC emerged as the volume leader, with 25m shares,” it added.

Arif Habib Limited noted KSE-100 has “tested the Monday range high at 165,000, which is a key level, and is currently -0.46pc [week-on-week] and remains in a consolidation profile”.

It said the US-Iran situation would “continue to dictate market direction”.

On Tuesday, the PSX snapped a seven-session losing streak, gaining 1,091.66 points as buying interest returned to the market.

The market sentiment has remained buoyant this week amid encouraging developments in the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran.

Additionally, a slight decline in international oil prices provided further comfort to investors by easing inflationary worries and strengthening expectations of macroeconomic stability.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said Islamabad and Beijing shared a “converging vision” on regional and global matters.

“Pakistan and China share a converging vision on regional and global issues,” said Dar while addressing the Senate.

A Chinese delegation was present in the visitors’ gallery to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

“We are committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in a world facing complex challenges,” the foreign minister said.

Dar stressed that cooperation between Pakistan and China at the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and other international forums had been “vital in defending the interests of developing countries and promoting global peace”.

During his address, Dar said that he will be accompanying PM Shehbaz Sharif on his state visit to China from May 23 to 26, during which they will also attend celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Pak-China ties.

During the visit, they would engage with the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, besides business-to-business (B2B) meetings.

“We would also have meetings of two very important mechanisms: Pakistan-China Political Forum and CPEC Joint Consultative Mechanism,” Dar said, adding that a large multi-party parliamentary delegation from Pakistan would be attending many of these meetings.

Dar highlighted the joint initiative by the two neighbours to “promote peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, noting that it reflected a “shared sense of responsibility as peace-loving nations to contribute to global security and stability”.

Recalling his visit to China in late March, Dar said, “We came up with a five-point initiative for a peace plan in the conflict, and this has been accepted and endorsed by dozens of countries on the globe.”

Dar noted he had been in “constant touch” with China’s FM Wang Yi and other colleagues from the region throughout the Middle East conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

The deputy PM observed that over the past 75 years, the relationship between Islamabad and Beijing has “grown from strength to strength into a robust economic and strategic partnership”.

“From the Karakoram Highway to Gwadar Port, the symbols of Pak-China friendship are spread all across Pakistan’s geography,” Dar remarked.

He added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stood “as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and a shining example of shared vision for regional connectivity and prosperity”.

Stressing that CPEC has played a key role in transforming Pakistan’s economic landscape, Dar said Islamabad looked forward to its next phase, CPEC 2.0, “focusing on industrialisation, agriculture, IT and socio-economic development”.

“We are confident that the benefits of the Pak-China partnership will reach every citizen of Pakistan,” the deputy premier said, recalling the two countries’ efforts in 2013 to “overcome” loadshedding in Pakistan.

“China gave massive support in eliminating the outages and loadshedding in Pakistan. We will always remain grateful to China.”

In a press release, the Foreign Office said Dar “reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation across all domains, including political, economic, strategic, and people-to-people exchanges”.

He highlighted the “shared resolve to carry this iron-clad friendship forward for future generations”.

A delegation from China led by Cai Dafeng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) arrived in Islamabad earlier today to attend the commemorative activities marking the 75th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic ties, APP reported.

The delegation was received by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, along with MNA Romina Khurshid Alam, convener of the Pakistan-China Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Citing a statement issued by the FO spokesperson, APP said the Chinese delegation will remain in Islamabad from May 20-21.

In his remarks on the floor of the Senate, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar noted, “Few friendships between nations carry the confidence and consistency seen between Pakistan and China.”

He said Pak-China relationship was “built on mutual trust, steadfast support, and full respect for each other’s sovereignty and core interests”.

“It has been tested by time and circumstances, and it has never wavered,” Tarar highlighted.

NA, Senate pass resolutions

The National Assembly and the Senate also passed separate resolutions to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

In the upper house of Parliament, Dar presented the resolution, which was also shared on the Senate’s account.

The resolution recalled “the historic, time-tested and iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China, a friendship that has been nurtured through the hard work and wisdom of successive generations of leadership and the enduring goodwill of the peoples of both countries”.

It said the upper house of Parliament recognised that this “fraternal relationship is based on mutual trust and respect, shared aspirations, and an abiding commitment to peace, stability, development and prosperity has withstood all tests of time irrespective of changing international environment, which continues to be a source of strength, confidence and reassurance for both nations”.

The resolution further stated that the Senate appreciated China’s “unyielding support” to Pakistan on issues concerning its core interest, and for its “steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, as well as its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development and prosperity”.

“Pakistan also reaffirms its unyielding support to China on issues concerning its core interest, and reiterates its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea,” the resolution read.

It said the Senate welcomed the growing parliamentary and inter-parliamentary engagement between Pakistan and China, and “expresses the desire to further strengthen these ties in the spirit of dialogue, understanding and cooperation for regional and global peace, stability and development”.

The Senate “reaffirms its heartfelt appreciation for the growing cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, strategic, educational, cultural and people-to-people spheres, which continues to deepen the bonds of friendship between the two brotherly nations”, the resolution stated.

It added that the upper house of Parliament “resolves to continue extending its full support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and underscores the importance of continued practical partnership with China for shared prosperity, mutual benefit and the socio-economic development of the peoples of both countries”.

The Senate “commits to commemorate, in a befitting and dignified manner, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China as a symbol of enduring brotherhood, trusted partnership and ever-deepening cooperation, and to carry this extraordinary friendship forward from generation to generation”, the resolution concluded.

Meanwhile, the NA also passed a similar resolution, reaffirming the “longstanding friendship, mutual trust, and close cooperation between the two brotherly countries”, a post on the NA’s X account said.

It said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry moved the resolution, which “conveyed heartfelt felicitations to the government and people of China and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and the ‘all-weather strategic cooperative partnership’“.

“The house also reaffirmed its resolve to enhance parliamentary cooperation and deepen ties between the National Assembly of Pakistan and the National People’s Congress of China,” it added.

The federal government on Wednesday announced a three-day public holiday from May 26-28 (Tuesday to Thursday) to mark Eidul Azha.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, shared by state-run APP on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared May 26 to 28 as “public holidays on the occasion of Eidul Azha”.

Pakistan will observe Eidul Azha on May 27 (Wednesday), the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced after sighting the Zilhaj moon on Sunday.

The announcement was made after moon sighting testimonies were received from Karachi and other cities of Sindh, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and some other areas.

Celebrated on the 10th of Zilhaj, Eidul Azha marks the culmination of Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Saudi Arabia is also set to mark the first day of Eidul Azha on May 27, Saudi Gazette reported.

Ahead of Eidul Azha, the Punjab government has prohibited several activities “injurious to public health” and that also disturb public peace under Section 144 from May 27 to June 2.

A notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, dated May 19, said that during Eidul Azha, people sit by the roadside and roast the heads and feet of sacrificial animals, which caused “unhealthy smoke” and an unpleasant smell.

It said that people also throw the entrails of sacrificial animals by the roadside and or in drains, which resulted in unsanitary conditions and the blockage of the sewerage system. It stated that citizens also swim and bathe in canals, ponds, lakes, river banks, and distributaries during Eidul Azha holidays, which may endanger their lives.

It further stated that cattle sellers illegally set up points for the sale of sacrificial animals within populated areas, which hindered traffic and contributed to the spread of diseases.

The Home Department said that the aforementioned activities “are not only injurious to public health and safety, but also cause nuisance and resentment among the general public, which are likely to cause disturbance in public peace and tranquillity”.

Therefore, the government prohibited burning of the heads and feet of sacrificial animals in public places; swimming or bathing in rivers, lakes, dams, etc; throwing offal or entrails of sacrificial animals in manholes, drainage channels or canals; and sale or purchase of sacrificial animals at any place other than notified cattle markets.

It mentioned that the Home Department secretary had prohibited the activities under Section 144 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with effect from May 27 to June 2 across the province.

It is worth mentioning that Eidul Azha will be celebrated in Pakistan on May 27.

Opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been ruled out of the upcoming one-day international (ODI) series against Australia, scheduled to begin on May 30, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued by the cricket board, both players are “currently recovering from injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel”.

“Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series,” it added.

The cricket board wished both players a speedy recovery and said it looked forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity.

It added that further updates regarding the squad and player fitness would be shared in due course.

The Australian men’s cricket team is scheduled to tour Pakistan for a three-match ODI series. According to the schedule announced, the visitors will arrive in Islamabad on May 23 and face the Green Shirts in the first ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30.

The second and third ODIs of the series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and 4, respectively.