Telenor Pakistan, Ufone merger application sent to PTA by PTCL

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) formally submitted an application to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seeking approval for the merger of Telenor Pakistan and Ufone, official sources confirmed to Business Recorder.

According to the sources, PTA is expected to complete its review process within one and a half to two months. The regulatory authority will evaluate the proposed business plan, network infrastructure, tower assets, and other operational aspects before granting approval for the formal merger, including the transfer and consolidation of licenses and spectrum holdings.

READ MORE: PTCL commences takeover, merger process to acquire Telenor Pakistan

Once PTA’s approval is secured, the transaction will move to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for regulatory clearance. Following SECP’s approval, PTCL will seek final endorsement of the Scheme of Arrangement from the court, which is a mandatory legal requirement to complete the merger.

The entire regulatory and legal process is expected to take approximately five to six months, the sources added.

The merger initiative follows PTCL Group’s recent completion of the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion, marking a significant step in the consolidation of Pakistan’s telecom sector. The transaction is aimed at strengthening PTCL Group’s mobile segment by integrating Telenor Pakistan’s operations with Ufone’s existing infrastructure and customer base.

Industry experts believe that the proposed merger could lead to operational efficiencies, improved network coverage, and enhanced service offerings, while also intensifying competition among remaining telecom operators in the country.

PTA’s review will be closely watched, as the authority is expected to assess the merger’s potential impact on market competition, spectrum concentration, and consumer interests before granting final approval.