The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has cleared Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) $400 million acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, ending months of regulatory review. The deal will merge PTCL’s mobile arm, Ufone, with Telenor Pakistan, making it the country’s second-largest telecom operator.
The CCP placed the transaction under a Phase II review before giving its approval. Regulators examined concerns about market dominance, funding sources, and transparency. Approval was granted with conditions to ensure fair competition.
PTCL welcomed the decision, calling it an important step for Pakistan’s telecom industry. The company said the merger will expand coverage, improve service quality, and create stronger infrastructure to meet rising demand.
The telecom sector has faced mounting pressures in recent years. Operators continue to struggle with thin margins, high spectrum costs, and heavy capital expenditure requirements. Industry analysts believe the consolidation will bring efficiencies but also reshape competition among the four major players.
The PTCL Policy Board had earlier accepted the CCP’s conditions after months of hearings. The regulator applied its Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) Test across mobile, fixed-line, and long-distance markets before reaching its decision.
With this approval, PTCL and Telenor Pakistan are set to move forward with integration, a shift expected to significantly alter the country’s telecom landscape.
