CCP Approves PTCL Telenor Merger With Conditions

The Competition Commission of Pakistan has approved conditional PTCL Telenor merger.

CCP bench has signed decision and formal announcement was made in press conference.

Sources confirmed the PTCL Policy Board has formally accepted the stringent terms set by the Commission, paving the way for a landmark regulatory announcement.

The merger, valued at four hundred million dollars, will combine Telenor Pakistan with PTCL’s Ufone, reshaping competition within the country’s telecommunications sector significantly.

The Commission applied the Substantial Lessening of Competition Test, assessing multiple markets including mobile, fixed-line, leased lines, long-distance services, and IP bandwidth operations.

Officials highlighted that five open hearings and several confidential meetings were conducted, supported by extensive data requests and regulatory compliance submissions from both companies.

Read More: PTCL Board Accepts CCP Conditions, Paving Way for Telenor Merger

Despite corporate and political pressure to accelerate the process, CCP Chairman Dr Kabir Sidhu emphasized transparency and upheld all statutory requirements without compromise.

The Commission also dismissed a claim made in February 2025 suggesting it had exceeded its legal mandate, maintaining its authority remained firmly intact.

Officials believe the PTCL Telenor merger will form a highly concentrated operator, raising concerns regarding pricing, infrastructure access, and fair treatment of industry competitors.

To mitigate risks, the CCP is expected to attach safeguards relating to interconnection agreements, cost transparency, infrastructure sharing, and consumer protection measures.

The eighteen-month review mirrors international precedents, with similar telecom deals such as Vodafone Three UK and Sprint T-Mobile undergoing lengthy clearance timelines abroad.

An official order from the Commission is expected soon, marking a defining moment for Pakistan’s telecom sector and potentially altering competitive dynamics nationwide.