Pakistan’s telecom industry braces for a major transformation as Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) moves quickly to acquire Telenor Pakistan. The process has picked up speed at a crucial time, with the country preparing for its first large-scale 5G spectrum auction. PTCL is racing to acquire Telenor before the 5G spectrum auction.
Sources say the Competition Commission of Pakistan sent the PTCL-Telenor merger to the PTA in October. The PTA must check its effects on the telecom market. This step matters because the deal could shift the competition.
The PTA held talks with key players like Jazz, Zong, and Wateen. They voiced worries about how the merger might hurt their position. Still, the review moves ahead without hitches.
The PTA should grant the key No-Objection Certificate by November 30. That clears a main hurdle in this billion-rupee deal.
With the NOC in hand, PTCL will seek nods from the State Bank of Pakistan and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. These steps finalise the ownership shift.
Telenor to Become a PTCL Subsidiary
Telenor Pakistan will then join PTCL as a unit, much like Ufone. Experts see this as a boost for Ufone in the 5G auction. Jazz and Zong have ruled the market for years. The PTCL-Telenor pair could even things out.
Full Merger Still Months Away
The ownership transfer is being fast-tracked; a full legal and operational merger will take more time. Officials estimate that it will take between six months to one year for PTCL and Telenor to completely merge their operations.
For the final merger, PTCL will need to return to the PTA and also seek approval from the courts. The process will conclude only after an official Amalgamation Order is issued, followed by judicial clearance.
If plans hold, this PTCL-Telenor tie-up marks the largest telecom shift in Pakistan in over ten years. It will change the market and build strength as 5G rolls out.
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