ISLAMABAD: Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Frederico Silva, concluded a working visit to Karachi and Thatta from November 21 to 26, 2025, with a focused review of key socio-economic development projects implemented by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) across Sindh. The visit underscored the scale, quality and community impact of AKF’s long-standing development work in Pakistan under the leadership of its CEO, Akhtar Iqbal.
During his engagements in Karachi, the ambassador visited several Aga Khan Education (AKE) institutions, including the AK Higher Secondary School, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan School and the Aga Khan Institute for Educational Development. He observed the institutions’ innovative teaching approaches, teacher training programmes and modern learning environments.
Ambassador Silva and his delegation also held meetings with the leadership of Aga Khan University (AKU) and toured its internationally recognized hospital. The discussions centered on opportunities for enhanced academic exchanges and institutional collaboration. Admiring the university’s standing, the ambassador described AKU as “one of the most impressive institutions of higher learning and medical care in South Asia.”
A full-day field trip to Thatta District offered firsthand exposure to AKDN’s community-led development initiatives. The delegation reviewed projects undertaken by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), including sustainable livelihood activities such as crab and shrimp ponds in Ahmed Khan Baluch village. They also visited community-driven initiatives in potable water provision, sanitation improvement and small-scale agriculture in nearby rural and coastal settlements. These interventions highlighted AKDN’s capacity to deliver high-impact, people-centred development in some of Sindh’s most underserved regions.
Throughout the visit, Ambassador Silva praised AKDN’s “professionalism, vision and deep commitment to improving lives across Sindh and other provinces of Pakistan.” He said the Network’s efforts in education, health and rural development “stand as a model of excellence, offering high standards of effective, long-term and sustainable investment in empowering communities.”
The Embassy of Portugal expressed its intent to deepen future cooperation with AKDN, recognizing the Network as a valuable partner in advancing human development, social progress and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan.
