Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has granted technical approval for the proposed merger between Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, marking a significant step in the consolidation of Pakistan’s telecom sector. The development was confirmed by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in a notice submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, stating that the approval was issued on March 19, 2026, subject to compliance with regulatory conditions.
According to the filing, the approval requires the submission of an unconditional acceptance of PTA’s conditions within 15 days. The merger will proceed through a scheme of arrangement in line with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks. Company officials indicated that all necessary internal approvals have already been secured, and the next phase will involve legal proceedings, including filing for amalgamation with the Islamabad High Court. The integration process is expected to take several weeks, during which authorities will review whether both entities have any outstanding legal or financial liabilities. This review will involve coordination with institutions such as the State Bank of Pakistan and the Federal Board of Revenue, alongside internal legal teams. The aim is to ensure that all compliance requirements are met before the merger is finalized.
Following the issuance of the no objection certificate, Ufone will begin technical integration with Telenor Pakistan, allowing backend teams to combine spectrum assets and optimize infrastructure. The merged entity currently operates around 26,000 telecom towers, many of which are located in close proximity. This overlap provides an opportunity to consolidate infrastructure and reduce operational costs while maintaining service quality.
Regulatory conditions attached to the approval include safeguards for industry stakeholders and consumers. Towers shared with other operators such as Jazz and Zong cannot be decommissioned without prior consent, and franchise partners must be given at least six months’ notice before any contract termination. Authorities have also ensured continuity for users, confirming that existing Telenor SIM cards will remain functional on the Ufone network during and after the transition.
Pakistan’s mobile market currently serves around 202 million subscribers, with Jazz and Zong holding the largest shares. The combined Ufone and Telenor entity is expected to reach approximately 72.45 million users, although analysts anticipate a possible decline due to overlapping customer bases. The merger traces back to a share purchase agreement signed in December 2023, under which PTCL acquired full ownership of Telenor Pakistan in a transaction valued at approximately 400 million dollars, completed in late 2025 after multiple regulatory clearances.
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