ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) has returned to profitability after more than four years and plans to formally launch 5G services next month.
PTCL and Ufone Chief Executive Hatem Bamatraf, while announcing the group’s financial results for the first quarter (January-March 2026), said revenues had increased by 58 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.
He said the company had faced multiple challenges in recent years, but performance had improved since January following the consolidation of Telenor Pakistan’s financial results into the PTCL Group, supporting growth across fixed broadband, enterprise, wholesale and mobile segments.
During the quarter, consolidated operating profit surged by 564pc with the inclusion of Telenor Pakistan, while the group posted a net profit of Rs3.1bn, reversing a net loss of Rs4bn in Q1 2025.
Plans to launch 5G next month
Mr Bamatraf said the company was entering a new phase of sustainable growth. He added that once the merger between Ufone and Telenor Pakistan is completed, customers would benefit from an improved service experience.
He said Ufone was expected to launch 5G services in May after securing a commercial licence from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Separately, PTCL Group chief financial officer Nadeem Khan said the impact of war would likely be reflected in the second quarter of 2026, beginning in April, particularly through higher interest rates and fuel prices.
However, he said the extent of the impact would depend on how the conflict evolves, adding that the company had plans in place to mitigate potential financial shocks.
Another subsidiary of the group, U Bank, reported revenues of Rs5.8bn, with a marked improvement in its bottom line, signalling a strong recovery in banking operations.
Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026
