ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of SAA Services (Private) Limited by Systems Limited from British American Tobacco International Holdings (UK) Limited.
The transaction, executed under a Share Purchase Agreement, was reviewed under Phase-I of the CCP’s merger assessment framework, in line with the Competition Act, 2010.
Systems Limited, a Pakistani technology company specializing in software development, BPO, and cloud services, will acquire full ownership of SAA Services, which currently operates as a captive service provider within the British American Tobacco (BAT) Group. The company provides IT and IT-enabled services, including HR, finance, procurement, and digital technology, exclusively to BAT Group companies and does not serve external customers either in Pakistan or internationally.
After reviewing the transaction, the CCP concluded that it does not raise any competition concerns, as the target’s operations are limited to the BAT Group. There is no overlap between the two companies in the domestic BPO sector. The Commission noted that while both companies operate in the IT and IT-enabled services sector, their customer bases are distinct, and the acquisition does not result in market consolidation or reduced competition.
The acquisition is expected to offer strategic and economic benefits, enabling Systems Limited to leverage global expertise and best practices to enhance its service offerings in Pakistan. The deal aligns with national objectives of job creation, technology transfer, and the digital transformation of the economy.
The CCP authorized the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010, determining that it will not create or strengthen a dominant position in the relevant market.
