ISLAMABAD – The largest telecom sector deal in Pakistan’s history—the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL and its subsidiary Ufone—remains stalled due to pending regulatory approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). Initially set to expire in June 2025, the acquisition agreement has now been extended to September 30, 2025, giving PTCL-Ufone additional time to secure necessary approvals.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Telenor currently has 44.14 million subscribers, while Ufone holds over 24.3 million. A successful merger would position the combined entity as one of Pakistan’s largest telecom operators, significantly reshaping market dynamics. However, the extended delay has frozen critical network expansion and improvement plans for both Telenor and Ufone.
Insiders reveal that Telenor management is ready to exit the market but is awaiting final clearance from the government. The prolonged regulatory holdup has reportedly cost Telenor billions of rupees in losses and a declining subscriber base.
In the meantime, rivals Jazz and Zong are gaining ground as frustrated consumers migrate toward networks with better service and stability. The stalled merger is also hindering progress toward next-generation technologies like 5G, further slowing Pakistan’s telecom evolution.
Industry experts warn that such delays harm investor confidence, weaken financial stability, and stall sectoral growth—underscoring the urgent need for resolution in the interest of consumers and the broader telecom ecosystem.
