ISLAMABAD, August 5: In the ongoing proceedings under Section 11(6) of the Competition Act, 2010, senior management from Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) appeared before the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to present their business plan related to the proposed acquisition of 100 percent shareholding in Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited (TP) and Orion Towers (Private) Limited (OT).
The PTCL management provided a detailed briefing on the company’s proposed business plan, claimed efficiencies, and regulatory accounts in relation to the acquisition. The CCP bench, which included Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Member Salman Amin, and Member Abdul Rashid Sheikh, engaged with PTCL representatives, raising questions on various aspects of the proposed deal.
The Commission sought additional information to ensure a thorough evaluation of the merger’s potential impact on market competition and consumers, particularly focusing on how the deal could affect the telecommunications sector in Pakistan.
PTCL, Pakistan’s largest telecom service provider, has been in talks to acquire Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers for some time now. The proposed acquisition has faced delays due to concerns from regulatory authorities about its potential to reduce competition in the market.
While PTCL has emphasized the efficiencies and benefits of the deal, including expanded infrastructure and improved services, the CCP has highlighted the need for a more in-depth review to assess its broader market implications. The delay stems from the Commission’s responsibility to ensure that the transaction will not harm consumer interests or create a monopolistic environment in the country’s telecom sector.
The outcome of the ongoing discussions will determine the future of this deal, which could reshape the competitive landscape in Pakistan’s telecom industry.
