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START OF A SIGNIFICANT TOUR - 1970-01-01

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Event - 1970-01-01
Date: 
Thursday, 1970, January 1
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Rawalpindi January 15, 1970As Prince Aga Khan's personal aircraft carrying the Royal Couple landed at Chaklala airport, at 12:40 p.m. the crowd burst into shouts of 'Ya Ali', 'Prince Karim Zindabad - Princess Salimah Zindabad.'

The A.D.C. to the President of Pakistan was the first to go up the gangway and escorted Their Royal Highness. They were greeted by Mr. Mahmood Haroon, Central Minister for Food and Agriculture, Vazir Amirali H. Fancy, President of Aga Khan's Federal Council and Captain Vazir Amirali C. Ebrahim. The U.K. High Commissioner Sir Cyril Pickard, the French Ambassador M. Legendre, chief of General Staff Major. Gen. Gul Hassan, Commissioner of Rawalpindi and several high ranking civil and military officials were also present to receive the Royal Couple.

The Prince Aga Khan and Princess Salimah drove straight to the President's Guest House where they stayed during their visit to Rawalpindi/Islamabad.

VISIT TO ISLAMABAD

In the afternoon, the Royal Couple visited Pakistan's Capital Islamabad and were received by Lt. Gen. K.M. Sheikh, Chairman, Capital Development Authority. Prince Aga Khan then unveiled the name plaque of a road which has been named after 'His Grandfather, Hazrat Sultan Mohamad Shah.'

VISIT TO THE JAMAT

More than 3000 Ismailis, including those from Gilgit, Hunza, Chitral and Afghanistan had gathered at the most gaily decorated Jamatkhana. The Aga Khan addressing the Jamat, said , 'Be loyal to the Government and divert your energies and resources for the betterment of the life and for the prosperity of the country as a whole.' He also advised them 'to take active part in the development activity and to work hard for the glory of Pakistan.'

VISIT TO ISLAMABAD CLUB

At the Islamabad Club, the Royal Couple were received by the former Foreign Secretary Mr. S.M. Yusuf. Prince Aga Khan distributed prizes to the Winners and Runners-up of the Club's Squash Championship. He also 'donated a Gold Cup to the Club in memory of His Father, Late Prince Aly S. Khan.

January 18, 1970
Brigadier Mahmood shows The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah a clock at the Khyber Rifles, Landi Kotal, beyond Peshawar. The clock is worked by the rays of the sun.

PAF DINNER

In the evening, the Royal Couple were the Guests of Honour at a dinner given by Air Marshal a. Rahim Khan, Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Air Force at the gaily decorated PAF Officers' Mess.

The dinner was attended among others by Mr. Mahmood Haroon, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Maj. Gen. Rakhman Gul, GOC, Peshawer area and high ranking civil and military officers. The distinguished visitors were entertained to fascinating tribal dances including the famous Khattak dance.

VISIT TO MANGLA DAM

The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah flew by their personal aircraft to Mangla where they were received by the Principal Staff Officer WANDA and Officers of the Mangla Dam. The Royal Couple were shown round the Power Station, Mangla Fort and the Spillway House, where they spent more than two hours. The Aga Khan observed that, 'Pakistan had made remarkable progress during the last five years since he last visited this country. He was mush impressed to see the massive multi-purpose Mangla Dam Project and hoped that the new irrigation system will make Pakistan self-sufficient in food in the coming years and contribute a great deal more towards its general economic development.'

Rawalpinidi, January 16, 1970
BANQUET IN HONOUR OF PRESIDENT YAHYA KHAN

His Royal Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Salimah gave a banquet in honour of President Yahya Khan at Hotel Inter-continental. Several hundred guests were present, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, Central Ministers, high ranking civil and military officials. Few of the Ismaili leaders with their wives also attended the banquet. A special Pipe Band and an Orchestra had come all the way from Karachi to entertain the guests on this lively occasion.

At the banquet the President and the Aga Khan raised toast to each other from the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. The hotel was gaily decorated for the occasion. Hundreds of people had assembled outside to have a glimpse of the Royal Couple.

HAROON'S RECEPTION

The Central Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Mahmood Haroon arranged a Reception in honour of the Royal Couple at his residence, which was attended by the Central Ministers and other high ranking civil and military officials. The whole affair bore an informal atmosphere. Princess Salimah with a charming smile talked to the ladies freely while the Aga Khan discussed matters of mutual interest with the Central Officials and high ranking officials.

January 18, 1970
ROYAL COUPLE IN PESHAWER

The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah arrived in Peshawer from Rawalpindi this morning. They were accorded a rousing welcome at the airport by the Government officials, business men, prominent citizens, the leaders and members of the Jamat. Prominent among them were Vazir Gulamali Allana and Mr. Nisar Ali, President of Aga Khan's Supreme Council for N.W.F.P.

VISIT TO JAMATKHANA

Immediately after their arrival, the Royal Couple proceeded to the Jamatkhana where hundreds of members of the Jamat had assembled. Most of them had come from far flung areas. After performing religious ceremonies, the Aga Khan and Princess sAlimah left by car for the Afghan Border and Torkham.

FOOTHILL OF KHYBER PASS

Hundreds of members of Ismaili Jamat thronged Jamrud, at the foothill of Khyber Pass to have a, 'glimpse of the Spiritual Leader.' Replying to an Address of Welcome presented to the Royal Couple by Mr. Wali Khan Kulki Khel on behalf of the Tribal Maliks and elders at Jamrub, The Aga Khan said that the people of Pakistan had a right claim on him and assured that he would redeem this claim by paying frequent visits to Pakistan. He also thanked the Maliks for their hospitality. They were presented with traditional decorated sheep as a token of their hospitality. They were also presented with a pistol and two daggers made by the tribal arms factory encased in a walnut casket as a token of respect and affection. The Aga Khan was greatly honoured with the gifts which he said they would cherish as a remembrance of goodwill and friendship of the people of Pakistan.

AT PESHAWAR UNIVERSITY

On arrival at the University campus, the Royal Couple were received by the Vice Chancellor Mr. Abdul Hashim Khan, the University heads of various Faculties and a large number of students. The Royal Couple were profusely garlanded by the young girls inside the Convocation hall and later the were taken round the campus in a motorcade. The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah were highly impressed by the beautiful surroundings of the University and remarked that, 'It was a good educational institution and hoped it would further thrive and expand.'

January 19, 1970
ARRIVAL IN LAHORE

As the Aga Khan and Princess Salimah appeared at the gangway of their mini-jet, thousands of people broke into loud cheers and raised slogans 'Aga Khan Zindabad.' They were received by the former Provincial Governor and Begum Nur Khan and were introduced to several high ranking civil and military officials and prominent citizens, who had come to receive the Royal Guests.

After the airport ceremony, the Royal Couple drove to the Governor's House where they stayed as the State Guests.

VISIT TO THE JAMAT

The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah visited the camp especially erected to accommodate thousands of Ismailis who had come to Lahore from surrounding areas. There he performed religious ceremonies and blessed several newly weds. In the evening they visited the Jamatkhana at Shalamin which was most beautifully illuminated. The Aga khan advised the Jamat, 'to exercise the right of vote in the forthcoming elections according to one's concious.'

DINNER BY QIZILBASH

The Central Finance Minister Nawab Muzaffar Hussain Qizilbash hosted a dinner in honour of the Royal Couple at his residence which was largely attended.

January 21, 1970
The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah accompanied by former Provincial Information Secretary Mr. Mohammed Yusuf arrived in Malden for a brief visit and were received at the airport by the Commissioner Mr. Humayun Faiz Rasool and other notables of the city. Also present at the airport were Shaikh Sultan Bakhsh, President of Ismailia Council, Mr. Hasan Shaikh, Mr. Sardar Ali, Col. Aziz and Princess Husina, the daughter of His Highness Mir of Hunza. The Royal Couple drove to the Jamatkhana at Mumtazabad. Several thousands had lined up the route and cheered as the motorcade passed carrying the distinguished visitors,

NUR KHAN'S BANQUET

Former Provincial Governor and Begum Nur Khan hosted a banquet for the distinguished Royal Couple at the Governor's House which was attended by high officials and notables of the city. His Highness Mir and Begum of Hunza were also present along with prominent Ismaili leaders and their wives.

January 9, 1970
BANQUET FOR NUR KHAN

The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah held a return banquet in honour of Retd. Air Marshal and Begum nur Khan at the Hotel Inter-continental. Prominent among those who attended the dinner were Martial Law Administrator 'A' Zone Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan, former West Pakistan Government Chief Secretary Mr. Afzal Agha, His Highness Mir and Rani of Hunza, Mian Mumtaz Daultan, Nawazbzada Nasrullah Khan, Sardar Shaukat Hayat, Col. Abid Hussain, Malik Khizr Hayat Khan Tiwana, Lt. Gen. Azam Khan and Syed Amjad Ali.

The Banquet was largely attended by the officials of the Government and prominent citizens of Lahore. The dining hall was most beautifully decorated for the auspicious occasion.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

Prince Karim Aga Khan and his bride who are visiting this country of a special invitation of the President, will receive the warmest welcome wherever they go. Pakistan owes much to the distinguished family of the Prince both in the political and the socio-economic spheres. As President Yahya has remarked, the family had had a 'profound association' with the concept of and the struggle for Pakistan. Some historians even date the birth of Pakistan from the day, early in this century, when the grandfather of the Prince, the then Aga Khan, organised and led a delegation to the Viceroy to demand separate electorates for the Muslims. It was not just a ceremonial gesture. He recalled in his memoirs how deeply concerned he was t the time about the future of the Indian Muslims and how he continually remonstrated with the Congress leadership to see reason and desist from anti-Muslim objectives. He continued to play a leading role almost throughout the Muslim struggle, a highlight of which was his participation in the historic Round Table Conferences on 1930-1932. Equally momentous was his contribution to the spread of Muslim education: the development of the MAO College into the famous Aligarh University owes much to him. His son, Prince Aly Khan, acted for several years and with considerable welfare and economic progress - in the shape of hospitals, schools, colleges (even a commitment for a medical college at Karachi), libraries and industrial establishments - throughout right assistance and sound investments has been no mean order. The enterprising Ismaili community too, inspired by the example of its leaders, has played a notable part in setting up flourishing commercial and industrial concerns and in contributing to humanitarian causes. Prince Karim, therefore, both for his own qualities and his distinguished lineage, has a special claim on the affection of the people of this country. And no doubt he and his charming Begum will see it amply demonstrated during the current tour.(Editorial; Pakistan Times, January 17, 1970)

Khulna, January 23, 1970
JOINT LUNCHEON BY JUTE MILLS

This afternoon, The Aga Khan and Princess Salimah were entertained to a lunch at the People's Jute Mills Club jointly by the Peoples, Crescent and Carpeting Jute Mills which was largely attended by the elite of the town. Speaking to the Pressmen following the lunch, the Aga Khan lauded the progress Pakistan had made during six years since he last visited the country and expressed the hope that the tempo of economic development will be maintained to build up the country. He emphasised the high ratio of investment by the Ismaili Community in East Pakistan and hoped that tranquillity would be prevalent as lawlessness in any form was to be deplored. To another question, he said his followers were free to exercise their right to franchise according to their own lights and support any political party they liked, but the inly thing to be ensured was to keep the best interest of the country in mind.

January 25, 1970
ARRIVAL IN DACCA

A red carpet reception was waiting for His Royal highness the Aga Khan and Princess Salimah when they arrived at Dacca int he afternoon by their personal aircraft from Jessore. As their plane taxied to a halt at the Tejgaon airport, thousands of people burst into wild jubilation. Their Highnesses were received at the gangway of the aircraft by Vice Admiral S.M. Ahsan, Governor of East Pakistan. Vazir Mahomed Bhai, President of Aga Khan Supreme Council for Pakistan then introduced the royal visitors to the distinguished citizens of Dacca including East Pakistan and prominent leaders. The Royal Couple passed through a colourful arch prepared by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, who had lined up carrying miniature flags.

After the airport ceremony, the Royal Couple accompanied by Vice Admiral and Begum Ashan left for the President's House where they stayed during their sojourn in Dacca.

VISIT TO JAMATKHANA

Later in the evening, the Aga Khan visited Sultanabad Jamatkhana where he performed religious ceremonies.

PJMA FELICITATED THEIR HIGHNESSES

A very colourful reception was hosted in honour of the Aga Khan and Princess Salimah by PAKISTAN JUTE MILLS ASSOCIATION at Hotel Inter-continental on 26th January. The luncheon was attended among others by East Pakistan Governor, Vice Admiral and Begum S.M. Ahsan, Martial Law Administrator Zone 'B' and Begum Yaqub Khan, leading Industrialists and the prominent citizens of the city of Dacca.

The Chairman of Pakistan Jute Mills Association Nawab Khawaja Hasan Askari, in his Welcome Address said that the family of Aga Khans was very closely identified with the aims and aspirations of millions of Muslims of the Indo-Pak sub-continent and the Pakistanis would always remember the noble role played by Sir sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan during the formation of Aligarh University. He also referred to setting up two jute mills in Khulna and establishment of Industrial Promotion Services by the Ismaili Community and hoped that under the guidance of the Aga Khan, these enterprises would play a constructive role in growth of East Pakistan had a right upon him, he assured that the feeling was mutual as, 'you occupy a very special place in Pakistan and in her people's affection.'

Replying to the Welcome Address, the Aga Khan said that the Jute Industry which was fundamental to the economy of Pakistan was facing crisis and called for urgent and well-laenned action o meet the challenge.


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