Aurangzeb departs for Lisbon to represent Pakistan at Prince Karim Aga Khan’s funeral

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Thursday paid glowing tributes to Prince Karim Aga Khan for his services to Pakistan and humanity as he left for Lisbon to represent Pakistan at the spiritual leader of Ismaili community’s last rites.

Talking to The News before his departure for the Portuguese capital, he recalled that whenever the question of the wellbeing of Pakistan and its people came, the Aga Khan was always forthcoming with generous assistance.

Aurangzeb will also offer condolences on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan to the family members of the late spiritual leader of the Ismaili community. He will also attend condolence reference, and have a meeting with Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the new leader of the community.

Meanwhile, addressing a reception to commemorate the 46th National Day of Iran here in Serena, earlier on Thursday, Senator Aurangzeb said the people of Pakistan and Iran are bound together in an unparalleled and fraternal relationship, transcending the boundaries of time and geography and nurtured by people-to-people contacts over the centuries.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal was also present at the reception. Earlier, Iran’s ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam said strengthening relations with neighbouring countries remains a fundamental and enduring pillar of Iran’s foreign policy.