The long-running merger between Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) and Telenor Pakistan is making slow progress as PTCL works to resolve regulatory concerns raised by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). At a recent hearing, the CCP expressed doubts about PTCL’s financial stability and ability to complete the acquisition.
According to Dawn, the CCP granted conditional approval for PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, contingent on PTCL committing to significant investments in Pakistan’s telecom sector. The commission also requested a resubmission of PTCL’s business plan, highlighting concerns over the availability of funding for the acquisition and planned network expansion. Additionally, the CCP raised competition issues, noting PTCL’s dominant position in six of eleven telecom segments.
The deal’s delay is affecting Pakistan’s 5G ambitions, as the government has postponed spectrum auctions pending clarity on potential bidders, thus delaying the rollout of next-generation mobile services.
Telenor recently indicated that it expects the sale of its Pakistani operations to conclude in the second half of 2025. Jon Omund Revhaug, Telenor Asia Head, told Developing Telecoms that the company chose to exit Pakistan due to stagnant growth and unclear prospects to become a leading market player.
