Telecom operator Zong has reportedly laid off around 150 employees at its Islamabad head office. The claim comes from affected staff who contacted this publication directly. However, the company has not officially confirmed the figure yet. This report will be updated once Zong responds to queries.
Zong operates as CMPak, a subsidiary of China Mobile. It serves over 50 million subscribers across Pakistan currently. The company holds more than 26% of the mobile market. Its head office sits in Islamabad, where the reported cuts occurred.
According to one affected employee, the terminations came abruptly. They said staff were simply told their services were no longer required. Notably, the employee claimed no compensation or severance was offered. They described being advised to look for work elsewhere instead.
The same employee shared a personal account of their tenure. They said they had worked at Zong for fourteen years. During that time, they described working weekends, holidays, and through illness. Consequently, they expressed deep frustration over how the exit unfolded.
However, the reported cuts align with wider sector trends. Pakistan’s telecom industry is undergoing significant restructuring currently. The Telenor-Ufone merger is expected to cut hundreds of roles. Reports closer to TechJuice have suggested 300 to 500 PTML positions could go through that process.
That restructuring uses aptitude tests and voluntary separation schemes. Affected employees there may receive a golden handshake package. By contrast, the Zong employees allege receiving no such safety net. This distinction, if confirmed, raises questions about compensation practices.
Under Pakistani labour law, terminated employees hold certain entitlements. These can include notice periods and gratuity payments. The specifics depend on employment terms and length of service. Therefore, affected workers may have avenues for formal recourse.
For now, the situation remains developing and only partly confirmed. These claims remain unverified and reflect the employees’ own accounts. The precise scale and terms of any layoffs remain unconfirmed. The employees’ accounts paint a difficult picture of sudden job loss. TechJuice asked Zong for a comment but have yet to hear anything back. A fuller picture should emerge once the company responds.
