DUSHANBE, April 4, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, paid a short visit to Tajikistan on April 4.

According to president’s official website, President Emomali Rahmon and His Highness the Aga Khan, who is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), held talks to discuss state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and AKDN.

In the course of the talks, His Highness the Aga Khan expressed gratitude to President Emomali Rahmon for an official registration of the Ismaili Center, Dushanbe that is graphic evidence of freedom of religion and tolerance in the country, the source said.

The sides reportedly expressed satisfaction with the results of a long-term cooperation on enhancement of sectors like education, health, communications, culture and energy as wells social protection of the population in Tajikistan.

They noted that the majority of AKDN-sponsored projects being implemented in Tajikistan are of regional significance and peoples of Afghanistan and other Central Asia’s nations are also benefiting from those projects.