A Visionary Leader and Inspirer: Prince Karim Aga Khan (1936-2025)

In the heart of Karachi, amidst the bustling city’s centre, lies a serene campus of pink buildings – the Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH). This architectural marvel, with its intricate designs, ponds and greenery, is a testament to the vision and humanity of the beloved 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, Prince Karim Aga Khan, who recently passed away, leaving behind a profound global legacy.

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan was not only a spiritual leader. He was a visionary who believed in the fusion of faith with worldly matters. He emphasised that faith should deepen our concern for our worldly habitat, embracing its challenges and improving the quality of human life. This responsibility as an Imam led him to establish the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an endeavour committed to improving the quality of life for people around the world.

AKUH, part of the AKDN, is a shining example of His Highness’ commitment to excellence and his vision for a better future. AKUH has not only provided world-class medical education and healthcare in Pakistan; it has also become a source of knowledge and talent for the developing world. Its graduates and faculty have gone on to serve in various capacities, contributing to the development of healthcare systems globally.

As a Shia Ismaili Muslim follower who had the privilege of working closely with His Highness and the AKDN, I witnessed firsthand his visionary leadership, meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence. His Highness had an extraordinary ability to plan for the long-term future while remaining deeply involved in the execution of projects, ensuring that even the most minute details were not overlooked.

I recall an incident in the eighties when His Highness was visiting Pakistan. I was tasked with the responsibility of printing the stationery for the AKUH, a seemingly simple assignment that turned into a valuable lesson in quality and leadership. The brand manual, designed by John Lees, specified a particular Pantone shade of red, which was unavailable in Pakistan. As the stationery needed to be printed urgently, the job was distributed among three printers who tried to match the Pantone shade. However, His Highness rejected the initial print due to variations in colour arising from the different printers – he did not want to compromise on the high standards expected from a world-class institution. Realising the challenge, I decided to have a special ink created in bulk to last a few years to match the exact Pantone shade, ensuring the same ink would be provided to any printer for consistency across all printed materials. This experience taught me the importance of pursuing uncompromising quality and the leadership skills required to empower others to solve problems.

The ethos of self-reliance is deeply embedded in the multifaceted development approach of the AKDN. Another shining example, which I had the opportunity to work with in its early days, is the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), which has been instrumental in empowering rural communities in Pakistan and other countries. Through AKRSP, His Highness promoted the establishment of village organisations, enabling communities to identify their development priorities and implement projects with the support of AKDN.

AKRSP’s work in areas such as natural resource management, education, health and rural finance has transformed the lives of millions, demonstrating the power of community-driven development. By fostering self-reliance and empowering communities to take charge of their own destinies, AKRSP exemplifies the vision of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, a vision that continues to inspire and uplift communities around the world.

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to improving the quality of human life will forever be remembered and cherished. His legacy lives on through the chain of Imamat, now under the guidance of the 50th Ismaili Imam, Prince Rahim Aga Khan.

Anwar Rammal is Chairman, Asiatic Public Relations; Board Member, Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH; and Board Member, NAPA.