ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) will participate in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction along with the merged telecom entity of Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, PTCL President and Group Chief Executive Officer Hatem Bamatraf announced on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference alongside the management of Telenor Pakistan, Mr Bamatraf said he hoped that longstanding concerns of the telecom industry would be addressed and that spectrum would be offered on favourable terms. He stressed that fair pricing and sustainable policy conditions were essential for the successful rollout of next-generation services in the country.
The press conference also marked the formal announcement of PTCL’s acquisition of 100 per cent of Telenor Pakistan’s issued share capital and Orion Towers for Rs108 billion. With the completion of the deal, Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers have become wholly owned subsidiaries of PTCL, joining Pak Telecom Mobile Ltd (Ufone) and U Microfinance Bank within the group.
Mr Bamatraf said Telenor Pakistan would continue to operate as a separate legal entity for the next five to six months before being integrated with Ufone into a merged entity, subject to approvals from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Islamabad High Court. He added that the merger would enable the company to optimise spectrum resources, expand network capabilities and deliver secure, digitally enabled services in line with Pakistan’s digital transformation goals.
He also assured employees of Telenor Pakistan that no job losses would occur as a result of the merger, saying the integration process would respect talent and adopt industry best practices.
With wings spread wide, we rise higher.
Today, PTCL and Telenor Pakistan unite to build a stronger digital future.Together, we’re powering the ascent of Pakistan. #PTCL #TelenorPakistan #Ufone4G #SpreadingOurWings #PakistanTelecom #RulingTheSkies #FutureReadyPakistan pic.twitter.com/1F5Nt7srqQ
— PTCL (@PTCLOfficial) December 31, 2025
The PTCL chief did not comment on the long-standing issue of the $800 million withheld by Etisalat since 2006, when the UAE-based firm acquired management control of PTCL. The government of Pakistan currently holds a 62 per cent stake in PTCL, while Etisalat owns 26 per cent and public investors hold the remaining 12 per cent.
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Following the acquisition, the merged PTCL-Ufone-Telenor entity will become Pakistan’s second-largest telecom operator, serving approximately 35 per cent of the country’s subscriber base. Jazz Pakistan will remain the market leader with about 37 per cent share, while Zong will continue as the third-largest operator.
Separately, the newly constituted board of Telenor Pakistan has appointed Awais Vohra as acting chief executive officer. Mr Vohra, a founding member of Telenor Pakistan’s launch team, previously served as the company’s chief technology officer.
Meanwhile, the PTA’s Annual Report 2024-25 highlighted continued growth in the telecom sector, with revenues exceeding Rs1 trillion, a 12 per cent year-on-year increase. Subscriber numbers crossed 200 million, broadband users exceeded 150 million and network coverage expanded beyond 92 per cent. Despite these gains, PTA officials cautioned that high electricity costs and dollar-linked government payments continue to place financial pressure on telecom operators.
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