ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Wednesday approved the much-awaited acquisition of mobile services company Telenor by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) after a long wait of 18 months. "This is one of the most complicated transactions in the entire world," CCP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu remarked while announcing the approval of PTCL-Telenor merger. He elaborated that strict conditions had been attached to the deal to discourage the creation of a monopoly and to avoid anti-competitive practices. The CCP has approved the acquisition of 100% shareholding in Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers by PTCL, subject to extensive conditions designed to preserve competition, ensure non-discriminatory access and secure the pass-through of efficiencies to consumers.

The Board of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has officially approved its commitment to comply with the stringent terms and conditions set by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) regarding its $1 billion acquisition of Telenor Pakistan. This development paves the way for the CCP to issue its long-awaited order on the significant merger, which has been pending for over 18 months. CCP carried out one of the most exhaustive merger reviews in its history, applying the Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) Test to assess whether the deal could distort market dynamics.

Approval comes with conditions meant to protect consumers, including separate management and unbiased infrastructure sharing and interconnection

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has revealed that lapses by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) have stalled the proposed $1 billion Ufone-Telenor merger. In a presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on IT, the regulator said PTCL had once again failed to submit its $1 billion investment plan required to pave the way for the merger. The CCP noted that PTCL did not provide timely plans outlining efficiencies expected from the proposed deal. The regulator further highlighted that PTCL has challenged most Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regulations in court and obtained stay orders, including against the Significant Market Power (SMP) determination.

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