Telenor Pakistan, Ufone formally merge after IHC approval

ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has officially merged with Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) after receiving final statutory approval from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), marking the completion of one of the largest mergers in Pakistan’s telecommunications sector.

With the approval taking effect on Wednesday, Telenor Pakistan has ceased to operate as an independent legal entity.

The merged company will function as PTML, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan had more than 206 million mobile subscribers by the end of May 2026. Jazz remains the country’s largest mobile operator with a 36.42 percent market share, while Zong holds 26.62 percent. The newly merged PTML now commands a combined market share of 35.91 percent.

A senior Ufone official said that approximately four million of the merged company’s nearly 74 million subscribers may switch to competing networks in the coming months as both Telenor and Ufone customers adjust to the integrated operations.

Following PTA’s earlier technical approval, Ufone has already begun integrating the spectrum and network infrastructure of both companies. Customers in Karachi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad and several other cities are now using a unified network. The integration of billing systems, balance management and migration of Telenor SIMs will be completed in later phases.

In a statement, Ufone assured customers that services would remain uninterrupted throughout the transition while promising enhanced connectivity and an improved digital experience.

The company said the merger would strengthen network capacity, expand spectrum resources and support greater investment in next-generation digital services nationwide.

PTCL President and CEO Hatem Bamatraf described the merger as a landmark achievement for both the company and Pakistan’s telecom industry. He thanked the government and regulatory authorities for facilitating the process and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering innovative products and superior digital services to customers.