{{short description|Pakistani telecommunication company}} {{Other uses}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=December 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) | native_name = پاکستان ٹیلی کمیونیکیشن کمپنی لمیٹڈ | type = Public | logo = Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.png | image = Ufone Tower, Islamabad (cropped).jpg | image_caption = Headquarters of PTCL in Islamabad | traded_as = {{karse|PTC}} <br/> KSE 100 component | foundation = {{start date and age|1995}} | location_city = Islamabad | location_country = Pakistan | locations = Islamabad | area_served = | key_people = Hatem Bamatraf <small>(President and Group CEO)</small> | industry = Telecommunications | products = {{plainlist| * Fiber-optic * Broadband * Broadcasting * Cable television * Digital telephone * HDTV * Internet * Pay television * Mobile * VoIP phone }} | services = | revenue = {{increase}} {{PKRConvert|107.766|b}} | revenue_year = 2024 | operating_income = {{Decrease}} {{PKRConvert|6.885|b}} | income_year = 2024 | net_income = {{Decrease}} {{PKRConvert|4.826|b}} | net_income_year = 2024 | assets = {{increase}} {{PKRConvert|457.686|b}} | assets_year = 2024 | equity = {{decrease}} {{PKRConvert|115.108|b}} | equity_year = 2024 | owner = Govt of Pakistan (62%)<br>Etisalat (26%) | num_employees = 14,466 | num_employees_year = 2024 | subsid = Ufone <br/> UPaisa <br/> Telenor Pakistan <br/> Easypaisa | website = {{URL|ptcl.com.pk}} | footnotes = Financials {{as of|2024|12|31|lc=y}}<ref name="AR">{{cite web|title=PTCL Annual Report 2024|url=https://financials.psx.com.pk/lib/DownloadPDF.php?id=250744}}</ref> }}
'''Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.''', commonly known as '''PTCL''', is the national telecommunication company in Pakistan.<ref name="FT">[https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=PTC:KAR] Company Profile of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Financial Times (UK newspaper), Retrieved 9 December 2017</ref><ref name=Dawn>[https://www.dawn.com/news/1292818 PTCL and Netflix sign collaboration agreement] Dawn (newspaper), Updated 31 October 2016, Retrieved 9 December 2017</ref> PTCL provides telephone and internet services nationwide and is the backbone for the country's telecommunication infrastructure. The corporation manages and operates around 2000 telephone exchanges across the country, providing the largest fixed-line network. Data and backbone services such as GSM, HSPA+, CDMA, LTE, broadband internet, IPTV, and wholesale are an increasing part of its business.
Originally a state-owned corporation, the shareholding of PTCL was reduced to 62%, when 26% of shares and control were sold to Etisalat Telecommunications while the remaining 12% to the general public in 2006 under an intensified privatization program under Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. However, the 62% of shares still remain under the management of government-ownership of state-owned corporations of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |title='Etisalat eager to resolve $800m payment issue' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1455188/ |work=Dawn}}</ref>
== Leadership == In May 2021, Etisalat by e& appointed Hatem Bamatraf as president and Group CEO of PTCL. Hatem previously served as the CTO of Etisalat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Ali |date=2021-05-24 |title=PTCL appoints Hatem Bamatraf as Chief Executive |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40094718 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About PTCL |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/Home/PageDetail?ItemId=395&linkId=1042 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ptcl.com.pk}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Posts & Telegraph Department === It was known as the Posts & Telegraph Department in 1949 and as Pakistan Telephone & Telegraph Department in 1962.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=TLTP|date=2020-07-29|title=Telecom infrastructure ready to support 5G networks: PTA chief|url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/07/29/telecom-infrastructure-ready-to-support-5g-networks-pta-chief/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Profit by Pakistan Today|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation === Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) took over operations and functions from Pakistan Telephone and Telegraph Department under Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Act 1991. This coincided with the Government's competitive policy, encouraging private sector participation and resulting in the award of licenses for cellular, card-operated pay-phones, paging and, lately, data communication services.
=== Privatization Plan === Pursuing a progressive policy, the Government in 1991, announced its plans to privatize PTCL, and in 1994 issued six million vouchers exchangeable into 600 million shares of the would-be PTCL in two separate placements. Each had a par value of Rs. 10 per share. These vouchers were converted into PTCL shares in mid-1996.<ref name=":0" />
=== Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited === On 31 December 1995, the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996, was passed, which formally reconstituted the Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation as PTCL.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.brecorder.com/news/3792904|title=PTCL: PAKISTAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LIMITED - Analysis of Financial Statements Financial Year 2005-3Q'10|date=20 August 2010|website=Brecorder}}</ref> The act facilitated the transfer of the telecommunications business, along with its associated assets, rights, liabilities, and obligations, from the corporation to PTCL.<ref name="auto"/> However, certain exclusions were allocated to the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust (PTET).<ref name="auto"/>
As part of the reorganization process, the Government of Pakistan divested 26 percent of its PTCL shares through an initial public offering (IPO) at a strike price of PKR 30 and was subsequently listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/pakistan-gears-up-for-major-ipo-since-1996-1.371804|title=Pakistan gears up for major IPO since 1996|date=9 October 2003|website=gulfnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/4256557 |title=Let market forces determine strike price |website=Business Recorder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meed.com/pakistan-investors-go-for-ptc/|title=MEED | PAKISTAN: Investors go for PTC}}</ref>
PTCL launched its mobile and data services subsidiaries in 2001 by the name of Ufone and PakNet respectively. None of the brands made it to the top slots in the respective competitions. Lately, however, Ufone had increased its market share in the cellular sector. The PakNet brand has effectively dissolved over a period of time. Recent DSL services launched by PTCL reflects this by the introduction of a new brand name and operation of the service being directly supervised by PTCL. [[File:PTCL phone shop.jpg|thumb|A shop of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) in Islamabad]]
As telecommunication monopolies head towards an imminent end, services and infrastructure providers are set to face even bigger challenges. The post-monopoly era came with Pakistan's Liberalization in Telecommunication in January 2003. On the Government level, a comprehensive liberalization policy for the telecoms sector is in the offering.
In 2005, Government of Pakistan decided to sell 26 percent of the company to some private corporation. There were three participants in the bidding process for the privatization of PTCL. Etisalat, an Abu Dhabi company was able to get the shares with a large margin in the bid.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/73016/ ''"Pakistan takes Etisalat's $2.59 billion PTCL bid"''] The Indian Express (newspaper), Published 21 June 2005, Retrieved 9 December 2017</ref> In June 2005, Etisalat won the 26% of PTCL shares along with management control of the then telecom monopoly for US$2.6 billion. As of 2019, Etisalat has held back $800m amount over a property-transfer dispute with the Pakistani government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Privatisation gone sour: Govt signed agreement to transfer PTCL properties 'which don't exist' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1455057/ |work=Dawn |date=2 January 2019}}</ref>
The government's plan of privatizing the corporation was not welcomed in all circles; countrywide protests and strikes were held by PTCL workers. They disrupted phone lines of institutions like Punjab University Lahore along with other public sector institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-05-26 |title=KARACHI: PTCL workers on strike against privatization |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/140788/karachi-ptcl-workers-on-strike-against-privatization |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-06-14 |title=Hundreds of striking telecom workers detained |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/hundreds-of-striking-telecom-workers-detained-1.290842 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Financial and Operational performance == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year ended !Revenue (PKR million) !Operating income (PKR million) !Net income (PKR million) !Total assets (PKR million) !Total equity (PKR million) |- |31 December 2014<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2014 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2014 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report%202014.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}81,513 | align=right|{{decrease}}8,012 | align=right|{{decrease}}5,207 | align=right|{{decrease}}179,574 | align=right|{{decrease}}92,144 |- |31 December 2015<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2015 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2015 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report%202015.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{decrease}}75,752 | align=right|{{increase}}13,272 | align=right|{{increase}}8,760 | align=right|{{increase}}180,378 | align=right|{{decrease}}86,218 |- |31 December 2016<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2016 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2016 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report%202016.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{decrease}}71,420 | align=right|{{decrease}}10,201 | align=right|{{decrease}}6,835 | align=right|{{decrease}}180,109 | align=right|{{decrease}}83,013 |- |31 December 2017<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2017 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2017 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/PTCL%20REPORT%202017%20.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{decrease}}69,757 | align=right|{{increase}}12,845 | align=right|{{increase}}8,350 | align=right|{{increase}}186,158 | align=right|{{increase}}84,952 |- |31 December 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2018 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2018 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/PTCL-AR-2018.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}70,100 | align=right|{{decrease}}10,757 | align=right|{{decrease}}7,422 | align=right|{{increase}}196,044 | align=right|{{decrease}}83,571 |- |31 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2019 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2019 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/PTCL_Annual%20Report_%202019_F.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}71,548 | align=right|{{decrease}}9,331 | align=right|{{decrease}}6,347 | align=right|{{increase}}209,994 | align=right|{{increase}}87,751 |- |31 December 2020<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2020 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2020 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report-2020.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}71,804 | align=right|{{decrease}}8,493 | align=right|{{decrease}}6,030 | align=right|{{increase}}223,600 | align=right|{{increase}}94,010 |- |31 December 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2021 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2021 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/PTCL%20Annual%20Report-2021.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}76,853 | align=right|{{increase}}9,682 | align=right|{{increase}}6,874 | align=right|{{increase}}245,735 | align=right|{{increase}}99,653 |- |31 December 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2022 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2022 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/PTCL-%20Annual%20Report%202022.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}83,444 | align=right|{{increase}}13,513 | align=right|{{increase}}9,053 | align=right|{{increase}}305,160 | align=right|{{increase}}108,054 |- |31 December 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2023 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report%202023.pdf |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align=right|{{increase}}96,267 | align=right|{{increase}}13,906 | align=right|{{increase}}9,391 | align=right|{{increase}}387,602 | align=right|{{increase}}117,368 |- |31 December 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-05 |title=PTCL Annual Report 2024 |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/uploads/Annual%20Report%202024.pdf |access-date=2025-12-07 |website=PTCL}}</ref> | align="right" |{{increase}}107,766 | align="right" |{{decrease}}6,885 | align="right" |{{decrease}}4,826 | align="right" |{{increase}}457,686 | align="right" |{{decrease}}115,108 |}
==Products== === Voice === PTCL provides fixed-line telephone services across Pakistan.
==== Vfone network shutdown ==== Wireless voice services used to be provided through PTCL's CDMA2000 network, which was broadcast over the 1900 MHz WLL frequency under the 'Vfone' brand name, however, the network was shut down on 31 August 2016 nationwide to allow the spectrum to be re-farmed for PTCL's 'CharJi' LTE service.
=== Internet === PTCL offers three different types of fixed-line broadband across 2,000 cities* in Pakistan with plans ranging from 2 Mbit/s to 250 Mbit/s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unlimited Internet Packages {{!}} Internet Bundles |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/Home/PageDetail?ItemId=122&linkId=176 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ptcl.com.pk}}</ref>
* ADSL2+ (with optional G.992.5 Annex M) - plans from 2 Mbit/s to 20 Mbit/s * VDSL2 - plans from 2 Mbit/s to 100 Mbit/s * Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) - branded by PTCL as FlashFiber - plans from 20 Mbit/s to 250 Mbit/s
<nowiki>*</nowiki>PTCL's FlashFiber is not available nationwide, availability is currently limited to 95 cities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coverage - PTCL Flash Fiber |url=https://ptclflashfiber.com/coverage |access-date=2025-12-07 |website=PTCL Flash Fiber}}</ref>
==== Wireless ==== PTCL also offers TDD-LTE based Wireless Broadband under the 'CharJi' brand name with coverage in over 70 cities. Service is only available through their provided mobile hotspot device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coverage - PTCL CharJi |url=https://charji.ptcl.com.pk/coverage |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=PTCL CharJi EVO}}</ref>
PTCL announced the termination of CharJi services across several cities in Pakistan effective 30 June 2024. Existing customers are being given an option to migrate to Ufone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charji to Blaze |url=https://ptcl.com.pk/Home/PageDetail?ItemId=694 |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=ptcl.com.pk}}</ref>
Ufone is a wholly owned subsidiary of PTCL, it also the fourth and the smallest cellular provider in mainland Pakistan. It provides GSM and LTE services over the 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.
=== Television === In addition to voice and data services, PTCL also offers digital TV services based on DVB-IPTV under PTCL Smart TV brand name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ptcl.com.pk/Home/PageDetail?ItemId=149&linkId=222|title=Better than Cable - PTCL Smart TV|website=www.ptcl.com.pk|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> PTCL users can also stream live TV using the Smart TV smartphone application.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ptcl.com.pk/Home/PageDetail?ItemId=268&linkId=525|title=Smart TV App|website=www.ptcl.com.pk|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>
== Anti-competitive practices == PTCL has faced allegations and rulings related to anti-competitive practices over the years, especially in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region and in its broader telecom operations.
In 2006, PTCL cut Nayatel's E1 link at a colocation site despite Nayatel fulfilling its interconnect agreement obligations.<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-03-06 |title=Claim under the Interconnection Dispute Resolution Regulations |url=https://www.pta.gov.pk/media/nayatel_ptcl.pdf |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Pakistan Telecommunication Authority}}</ref>
In November 2010, LINKdotNET (part of Mobilink, now Jazz) and Micronet Broadband (then trading as Nayatel) filed complaints alleging PTCL overcharged bandwidth to competing ISPs while subsidizing its own DSL tariffs to undercut rivals.<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-11-18 |title=Determination on Anti-Competitive Practices of PTCL in the Broadband Market |url=https://ispak.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Determination-on-AntiCompetitive-Practices.pdf |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=ISPAK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hassan |first=Taimoor |date=2024-03-10 |title=Is PTCL throttling one of its competitors through anticompetitive practices? |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/03/10/is-ptcl-throttling-one-of-its-competitors-through-anticompetitive-practices/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today}}</ref>
In 2016, PTCL and Bahria Town tried to block ISPs from deploying fiber infrastructure in Bahria Town, effectively preserving a monopoly in that locality. The Competition Commission of Pakistan issued a show-cause notice, levied a PKR 2 million fine on Bahria Town, and ordered it to allow ISPs including Nayatel to lay fiber networks.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-08-04 |title=CCP issues show-cause notice to Bahria Town for abuse of dominance |url=https://nation.com.pk/04-Aug-2016/ccp-issues-show-cause-notice-to-bahria-town-for-abuse-of-dominance |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Nation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2017-02-07 |title=Competition Commission imposes Rs 2m fine on Bahria Town |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/02/07/competition-commission-imposes-rs-2m-fine-on-bahria-town/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today}}</ref>
On 14 February 2024, Nayatel lodged a complaint with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), alleging that PTCL blocked its IP traffic after Nayatel changed its bandwidth sourcing model to purchase from authorized resellers (such as Telenor Pakistan and Zong CMPak), hence bypassing direct PTCL bandwidth contracts. PTCL reportedly refused to route Nayatel's traffic when bandwidth was purchased via resellers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gardezi |first=Ahsan |date=2024-02-20 |title=PTA Asks Nayatel, PTCL, Zong and Telenor to Resolve Bandwidth Dispute Within 3 Days |url=https://propakistani.pk/2024/02/20/pta-asks-nayatel-ptcl-zong-and-telenor-to-resolve-bandwidth-dispute-within-3-days/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=ProPakistani}}</ref>
In more recent scrutiny, the Competition Appellate Tribunal upheld CCP's earlier ruling against PTCL and other Long Distance International (LDI) operators regarding the International Clearing House (ICH) arrangement (2012), which had centralized inbound international calls via PTCL's gateway. The Tribunal reduced the penalty rate to 2 % of turnover from ICH operations but confirmed its anti-competitive nature.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tribunal upholds decision in LDI case |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2562156/tribunal-upholds-decision-in-ldi-case |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
As of September 2025, the CCP has publicly accused PTCL of withholding data, delaying disclosures, and blocking regulatory scrutiny during the PTCL-Telenor merger process claiming that PTCL has a pattern of challenging PTA decisions in court, delaying interconnect obligations, and abusing dominance in multiple telecom segments.<ref>{{cite web |title=CCP accuses PTCL of withholding data, blocking scrutiny |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/09/22/ccp-accuses-ptcl-of-withholding-data-blocking-scrutiny-causing-delays-in-telenor-merger/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today}}</ref> Furthermore, CCP announced recovery of Rs 495 million in penalties from PTCL and LINKdotNET in the ICH case of which Rs 458 million was from PTCL, confirming enforcement of its antitrust rulings.<ref>{{cite web |title=CCP recovers Rs495m in ICH case from PTCL, Link Dot Net |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40380896 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Business Recorder}}</ref>
== Phone number format change == PTCL had started with 10 digit numbers for landline telephones. The first three (in case of smaller cities, 4 or 5) signified the area code (e.g. 042 for Lahore) and the rest (7 for large cities, 6 or 5 for smaller ones) were the subscribers number. Due to the large demand for landlines in Lahore and Karachi, in 2009, PTCL decided to increase the 7-digit subscriber numbers to 8-digits, adding "9" before existing Government numbers and "3" before the others (e.g. the number 042–7878787 before 2009, was changed to 042–37878787).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nation.com.pk/25-Jun-2009/ptcl-shifts-numbers-from-7-to-8-digit-series|title=PTCL shifts numbers from 7 to 8 digit series|date=25 June 2009|access-date=30 December 2021|work=The Nation (newspaper)}}</ref>
== 5G trials == PTCL successfully carried out 5G trials in February 2021 and achieved download speeds up to 1.7 Gbit/s in their testing environment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-11 |title=PTCL Group conducts successful 5G trials |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/02/11/ptcl-group-conducts-successful-5g-trials/ |access-date=2021-02-11 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Acquisition of Telenor Pakistan ==
After Telenor ASA announced in November 2022 that it would exit the Pakistani market,<ref name=Bloomberg221109>{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Dinesh |last2=Chan |first2=Vinicy |last3=Baigorri |first3=Manuel |title=Telenor Kicks Off Sale of $1 Billion Pakistan Business |work=Bloomberg News |date=2022-11-09 |access-date=2023-12-14 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-09/telenor-is-said-to-kick-off-sale-of-1-billion-pakistan-business}}</ref> PTCL announced in December 2023 its intention to acquire Telenor Pakistan for {{currency|493 million|USD|fmt=gaps|passthrough=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sadozai |first=Dawn com Irfan |date=2023-12-14 |title=PTCL to acquire Telenor’s Pakistan operations |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1797769 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=DAWN.COM}}</ref><ref name=NRK231214>{{cite news |url=https://www.nrk.no/norge/telenor-selger-datterselskap-i-pakistan-for-5_3-mrd_-_-18-vellykkede-ar-1.16678249|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214142842/https://www.nrk.no/norge/telenor-selger-datterselskap-i-pakistan-for-5_3-mrd_-_-18-vellykkede-ar-1.16678249|url-status=dead|archive-date=2023-12-14|last=Mjaaland |first=Ola |title=Telenor selger datterselskap i Pakistan for 5,3 mrd: – 18 vellykkede år |trans-title=Telenor sells daughter company in Pakistan for 5,3 billion [NOK] |language=NB |work=NRK/NTB |date=2023-12-14 |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref> PTCL Group CEO Hatem Bamatraf described the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen digital infrastructure and improve customer experience.<ref>{{cite web |title=PTCL Group CEO outlines strategy after Telenor merger plans |url=https://propakistani.pk/2025/10/15/ptcl-group-ceo-hatem-bamatraf-outlines-strategy-merger-plans-and-inclusion-agenda-at-gitex-global-2025/ |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref>
On 1 October 2025, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) granted conditional approval for PTCL's full acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-10-01 |title=CCP approves PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40385434 |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Brecorder}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CCP approves PTCL acquisition of Telenor Pakistan with conditions |url=https://www.telecomtv.com/content/access-evolution/ccp-approves-ptcl-acquisition-of-telenor-pakistan-with-conditions-53953/ |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref> The transaction was reported to be valued at around {{currency|400 million|USD|fmt=gaps|passthrough=yes}}, following a detailed regulatory review.<ref>{{cite web |title=PTCL acquires Telenor Pakistan for $400 million |url=https://www.fundz.net/acquisitions/acquires-719a |access-date=2025-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PTCL Telenor acquisition: Inside the $400 million merger that reshapes digital competition |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/10/13/ptcls-telenor-acquisition-inside-the-400-million-merger-that-reshapes-digital-competition/ |access-date=2025-10-13}}</ref>
Following the approval, the CCP directed PTCL to unbundle its operations to maintain fair competition and prevent anti-competitive practices. The order required separate boards, independent financials, and strict non-discrimination in services between the merged entities.<ref>{{cite web |title=PTCL directed to unbundle works after Telenor deal |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1948790 |access-date=2025-10-14}}</ref> Despite the CCP approval, reports suggested that the merger faced delays due to regulatory concerns. The CCP criticized PTCL for failing to submit investment plans and properly separate Ufone and PTCL operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=PTCL missteps hold up Ufone, Telenor merger |url=https://www.mobileworldlive.com/old_latest-stories/ptcl-missteps-hold-up-ufone-telenor-merger/ |access-date=2025-09-23}}</ref>
On 6 December 2025, the PTA granted PTCL a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-06 |title=PTA grants NOC for PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40396090 |access-date=2025-12-07 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref>
PTCL completed its acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers (Private) Limited on 31 December 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-31 |title=PTCL completes 100% acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, Orion Towers |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40400014 |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-31 |title=Disclosure Form - Pakistan Stock Exchange |url=https://dps.psx.com.pk/download/document/268043.pdf |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=Pakistan Stock Exchange}}</ref>
== See also == * List of dialling codes of Pakistan * Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication * Telephone numbers in Pakistan * Ufone - A wholly owned cellular subsidiary of PTCL
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [http://www.ptcl.com.pk/ PTCL official website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111004011027/http://www.nts.org.pk/AlliedUniversities/ptcl.htm Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL) - profile and history on National Testing Service website Archived]
{{Telecommunication companies of Pakistan}} {{Pakistan television providers}} {{Etisalat}} {{KSE 100}} {{KMI 30}} {{KSE 30}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ptcl}} Category:PTCL Category:Etisalat Category:Pakistani brands Category:1996 initial public offerings Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1947 Category:Internet service providers of Pakistan Category:Telecommunications companies of Pakistan Category:Cable television companies of Pakistan Category:Companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange Category:Companies in the KSE 100 Index Category:Companies based in Islamabad Category:Government-owned companies of Pakistan Category:Information technology companies of Pakistan Category:Pakistani companies established in 1947 Category:Government-owned telecommunications companies