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The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) says it will decide on the PTCL-Telenor merger within two weeks. The regulator is in Phase II of its review, focusing on how the deal will affect competition and consumers in Pakistan’s telecom market.
The merger involves PTCL acquiring Telenor Pakistan along with Orion Towers. The deal was first announced in December 2023, when Telenor ASA revealed plans to exit Pakistan. PTCL has now submitted its business plan, and the CCP has asked for more clarity on network expansion, consumer impact, and how the merger could reshape mobile and broadband dynamics.
On Thursday, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology received a detailed briefing from the CCP and telecom regulators. Officials told lawmakers that regulatory steps for the merger are nearing completion and could be finalized within one to two weeks. They added that the CCP had kept the merger file for 18 months and only recently received missing documents from PTCL, which sped up the review.
Committee members questioned how a process delayed for 18 months could be concluded in weeks. Regulators responded by pointing to the complexity of the case and the time already invested.
The committee also examined preparations for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, planned for December. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman said the authority is prepared, and a consultant’s report supports moving forward. However, he warned that legal issues could still cause delays. While the 2,600 MHz spectrum is clear, other pending cases must be resolved before the auction.
Senator Afnan Ullah urged the use of the Attorney General’s Office to clear these obstacles. The Ministry of IT confirmed it is working closely with the AGP’s office to fast-track solutions. Despite doubts from senators about the December deadline, regulators insisted they are working to resolve documentation and legal barriers as quickly as possible.
The CCP’s final decision on the merger is expected to shape Pakistan’s telecom industry and could directly influence the timeline for the 5G spectrum auction. Governments and operators are waiting on the outcome before moving forward with auction plans.
