PTCL faces CCP scrutiny over $1 Billion Telenor deal amid 5G pressure
Pakistan’s telecom industry is at a crucial moment, and PTCL is under the spotlight for its big plan to buy Telenor Pakistan. Even though PTCL has secured a $400 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), questions are being raised about whether it can afford to spend $1 billion on acquiring Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers.
This is happening at a time when PTCL is also expected to take part in Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, which will require even more money and clear regulations. The situation has become more sensitive with the recent shift of Telenor Pakistan’s CEO, Khurrum Ashfaque, to a global role, right when the merger talks are heating up.
PTCL Grilled by Competition Commission:
On August 5, senior PTCL officials appeared before the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under Section 11(6) of the Competition Act, 2010. They presented a detailed business plan explaining the benefits of the deal, cost savings, and long-term goals.
But the CCP panel, led by Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, raised tough questions. They asked whether PTCL—already running in losses and managing Ufone—can handle such a large acquisition while also preparing for the 5G auction.
Financial Transparency in Question:
The CCP asked PTCL to provide updated financial records for both Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, pointing out gaps and inconsistencies in the documents submitted earlier. PTCL was told to resubmit corrected financial statements to both SECP and CCP.
Industry experts are now worried that the unclear finances and regulatory hurdles could delay the Telenor deal and further push back the 5G auction, which is already four months behind schedule.
Government Steps In:
Due to rising concerns, the federal government has stepped in. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is now mediating between Etisalat (a major PTCL stakeholder), CCP, and other parties to avoid delays in Pakistan’s 5G rollout.
Why This Matters:
This merger could change the entire telecom market. Currently, four big players—Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone—compete for users. If PTCL takes over Telenor, that number may drop to three, which could affect market competition and service quality.
