Pakistan''s Associated Group (AG) is awarding $100 million in contracts to two Oklahoma-based companies for the construction of two power plants in Pakistan. An announcement to this effect was made by AG Chairman Iqbal Z Ahmed at a joint press conference with Oklahoma state officials at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Tuesday.
"These power plants will come online quickly, providing electricity to areas of my country that are dramatically undeserved," said Ahmed. "I am impressed by the get-it-done attitude of the Oklahoma companies we are going to be working with." Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins welcomed Ahmed to Oklahoma and declared April 21, 2009 as "Iqbal Z Ahmed Day" through an official proclamation.
Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters, who is a long-term investor in Pakistan, also spoke on the occasion. "Providing power in a developing market creates economic benefits that increase political stability," Walters said.
"Sometimes you do well by doing good. Power creates jobs. Putting people to work means there is food on the table at night for many and the dinnertime conversation turns to how an American company worked with a Pakistani company to make it possible." Ahmed stopped in Oklahoma on his way to New York City and Washington DC, where he will attend a number of business and diplomatic meetings. Ahmed is part of the visiting delegation of Pakistani "business ambassadors".
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