The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, subject to a series of tough conditions aimed at safeguarding competition and consumer interests.
The CCP outlined requirements to ensure non-discriminatory access and fair competition, including separate boards and management teams for PTCL and the merged entity, integrity and competency checks for senior leadership (with Etisalat overseeing professional standards), independent audits, and guarantees of equal access to infrastructure for all operators.
CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu acknowledged that the deal reduces the number of mobile operators in Pakistan from four to three but emphasized that “healthy competition” will continue, with consumers set to benefit from efficiency gains. He noted that the approval followed an extensive review process that tested stakeholders’ patience.
Telenor Asia head Jon Omund Revhaug had earlier warned against delays, citing risks to Pakistan’s digital economy. In its statement, Telenor welcomed the clearance, calling it a “significant milestone” and expressed hope for timely approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which must now give the final go-ahead.
If approved by the PTA, the merger would create Pakistan’s second-largest mobile operator with around 70 million subscribers, behind Jazz at 74 million and ahead of Zong with 52 million.
