By Bruce Pannier Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of some 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, died in Portugal on February 4 aged 88. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) announced the passing of the “49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad” on their website.

The Government has announced a day of national mourning on the funeral of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on Saturday. According to a Cabinet Division notification, the National Flag shall fly at half-mast throughout the country.

The late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died on Tuesday in Lisbon after nearly seven decades as the spiritual leader of the global Ismaili Muslim community, will be buried in Egypt on Sunday,

Pakistan has declared February 8 as a national day of mourning following the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan. On PM Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect.

A notification issued by Cabinet Division said: “Expressing profound grief on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan on the sad demise of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Prime Minister has declared a Day of National Mourning in Pakistan on Saturday, the 8th of February, 2025, on the occasion of the funeral of His High Highness.”