His Highness the Aga Khan IV (1936-2025) Visionary Humanitarian, May 20th, 2026 (2026-05)

SALIENT FEATURES

Size of Stamp	50.5 x 35 mm
Size of Print	50.5 x 35 mm
Number of stamps in a Sheet	(5x2) 10 Stamps
Perforations	13 C
Denomination:	Rs. 30/-
Colors	CMYK
Printing Technology	Lithography Offset
Paper	100 GSM Water Mark Gummed Paper
Gum	PVA
Quantity of Stamp	0.2 Million (02 Lac)
Design	Supplied by the Customer
Printer	Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

His Late Highness Aga Khan IV was born on 13 December 1936, in Geneva, son of the late Prince Aly Khan and his first wife, the late Princess Tajuddawlah, née Joan Yarde-Buller. He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya. His Highness the Aga Khan IV graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history.

On 11 July 1957, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III as the 49th Imam. spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. He led the Ismaili community for 67 years, a period of enormous change. The title "His Highness" was granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 following the practice of earlier British monarchs who had accorded the same title to Aga Khans I, II and III.

Driven by the ethics of faith and the Imam's hereditary responsibility to improve quality of life, His Highness has been at the forefront of innovation and development during his Imamat. He established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the most comprehensive development networks today, working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest, most vulnerable parts of the developing world, irrespective of their faith, race, ethnicity or gender. The AKDN, with over 96,000 employees, operates in 30 countries, principally in Central and South Asia, Eastern and Western Africa and the Middle East.

Inspired by the Islamic ethic of compassion and responsibility to care for the needy, the AKDN works for the Muslim Ummah and the societies within which they live, addressing key challenges. related to human development regardless of gender, origin, or religion. The AKDN institutions have mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development, revitalisation of historic cities as well as the promotion of private-sector enterprise, all of which are catalysts for socio-economic development. Together, they contribute towards building a vibrant civil society that caters to the needs of vulnerable segments. The AKDN works in close partnership with public and private institutions, including governments, international organisations, NGOs, and universities.

The AKDN operates more than 700 health care facilities, 2 universities and over 200 schools in some of the most remote and disadvantaged parts of the developing world. Each year, among numerous interventions, the AKDN provides quality health care to 5,000,000 people, educates 2,000,000 students from preschool to university level, generates electricity for 10,000,000 people, and helps 8,000,000 achieve greater food security and raise household incomes.

During the 67 years of Imamat, the AKDN institutions in Pakistan have made significant contributions in the social, economic and cultural development of the country.

The AKDN provides vital medical and educational facilities to a large segment of the country's vulnerable population. The Aga Khan University Hospital and related medical facilities have proven to be a game changer in raising the quality of health care in Pakistan. It continues to be the beacon for medical breakthrough with medical facilities of international standards and a highly reputed medical school.

The AKDN also established the first Aga Khan School in Gwadar in 1905. Since then, education facilities under the AKDN have expanded to more than 160 schools operating in some of the most remote areas of Pakistan. The AKDN in Pakistan is amongst the first to recognise the critical, long term impact of Early Childhood Development, and has thus implemented innovative and interactive programmes in its schools.

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, established in 1982 by the Aga Khan Foundation, has greatly improved the socio-economic conditions in the rural areas of Pakistan, through rural development projects such as training to improve skills and creating access to finance, and the provision of facilities resulting in access to clean water and electricity.

AKDN projects to restore historical forts and monuments such as the Walled City of Lahore have not only helped preserve culture but also encouraged tourism and economic development in rural and urban areas of Pakistan

The Ismaili Imamat's collaboration with national governments, international public agencies and non-governmental organisations stems from a common purpose and shared values and objectives to improve the quality of life of those most in need. The Ismaili Imamat has diplomatic relations with various countries and partnerships with many international and national organisations. At the invitation of the Government of Portugal, His Highness the Aga Khan IV established the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat (global headquarters) in Lisbon in 2018.

In recognition of his exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies globally, His Highness the Aga Khan IV has received numerous decorations, honorary degrees, and awards from institutions and nations across the world. In Pakistan, His Highness has been awarded the following honours:

Ø  Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1970)

Ø  Nishan-e-Pakistan (1983)

Ø  LL.D. (honoris causa) University of Peshawar (1967)

Ø  LL.D. (honoris causa) University of Sindh (1970)

Ø  Honorary Membership, Pakistan Medical Association (1981)

Ø  Honorary Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), (1985)

To honour the legacy of His Highness Aga Khan IV (1936-2025) Visionary Humanitarian, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.30/- each denomination on May 20th, 2026.