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Two rich and famous Pakistanis to promote sports

LONDON: Two internationally successful Pakistani entrepreneurs have agreed to work together on a num

By Murtaza Ali Shah
October 20, 2013
LONDON: Two internationally successful Pakistani entrepreneurs have agreed to work together on a number of projects to create a positive image of the hard-working Pakistani Diaspora communities globally and also to promote sports in Pakistan.
Pakistan-born American billionaire Shahid Khan, with an estimated worth of $2.4billion, and London and Hong-Kong based Master Tailor Arshad Mehmood, of the Global Apsley and Punjab House tailoring brands, have held talks in America where the two decided to look into joint ventures, especially in London where Khan has recently bought Fulham Football Club in a deal rumoured to be of tens of millions of pounds. Both have agreed to hold an event in the near future to help promote sports in Pakistan - football, hockey and cricket. Shahid Khan, the owner of NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars, is now spending a great amount of time in London after purchasing Fulham over the summer, and likes the fact that Arshad Mehmood, who originates from Mirpur in Azad Kashmir but learnt tailoring in Karachi, has been creating Apsley Suits for footballer teams, cricket stars, showbiz celebrities and members of the Royal family.
Arshad Mahmood hit headlines recently when he created a new global product line, one of the world’s most expensive suits priced at $129,000. The suit is made of 22-carat gold stitching, a gold waistcoat and diamond-encrusted gold and diamond buttons. The suit, described as “stunning and extraordinary”, now has a waiting list of global clients.
Shahid Khan was so impressed by Arshad Mehmood’s work, contacts and success in Britain and countries like China and Japan that he has agreed that the two international entrepreneurs will work together on projects both commercial and philanthropic which are of mutual benefit to their organisations and desire to support charities. One discussion already underway is an event to help promote sports in Pakistan, like football, hockey and cricket.
Speaking to ‘The News’ Arshad Mehmood commented on his meeting with Shahid Khan in Florida: “It was an inspirational meeting and one that will have mutual benefits, I hope, for many years to come. The values and drive that Shahid Khan shared resonate with my own and together I hope we can make a difference in many markets and ways.
Pakistanis living overseas have done a great amount of good work and their rise at the international level is good for the positive image of Pakistan. It tells the world that Pakistani culture actually teaches ethics of hard work, community responsibility and peace.”