Regulators Set Conditions as PTCL Prepares to Absorb Telenor Pakistan
PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan has reached its final review stage, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) accelerating the process ahead of the government’s planned 5G spectrum auction in February–March 2026. PTA has completed hearings with major telecom operators and is expected to issue a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by November 30, after which PTCL will seek further approvals from the State Bank of Pakistan and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
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Once finalized, the merger will position Telenor as a subsidiary of PTCL, similar to Ufone, enabling both entities to participate more effectively in the upcoming 5G auction. The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has already approved the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, subject to strict conditions ensuring market fairness. These include independent boards, non-overlapping management, and governance standards under the Etisalat-backed PTCL group.
To prevent anti-competitive practices, CCP has mandated quarterly audits, restrictions on predatory pricing, and non-discriminatory access to telecom infrastructure. PTCL must also seek PTA approval for wholesale pricing on key services. The merger, which began with a share purchase agreement in December 2023 and received CCP Phase-II approval in October 2025, is expected to reshape Pakistan’s telecom landscape and enhance service quality, pricing, and network investment for consumers.
