Telenor Pakistan, Ufone formally merge after IHC approval

Published July 1, 2026 Updated July 1, 2026 11:42pm

ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has been formally amalgamated into Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) from Wednesday, as final statutory approval has been granted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Telenor Pakistan has ceased to exist as a separate legal entity, and the amalgamation marks the completion of one of the most significant transactions in the country’s telecommunications history.

The merged telecom company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of PTCL and will operate as PTML.

Data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) shows that by the end of May 2026, there were more than 206 million mobile subscribers, with Jazz remaining the largest telecom operator with 36.42pc of the total mobile subscriber base, followed by Zong with 26.62pc.

The combined share of the merged entity now stands at 35.91pc.

However, a senior executive of Ufone said that around 4m out of approximately 74m total subscribers of the merged telecom company could leave the network in the coming months.

“This is because subscribers of both Telenor and Ufone are likely to switch their SIMs to other networks soon as the operations of the two companies are fully merged.”

Meanwhile, since the PTA has already granted technical approval for the merger, Ufone has begun integrating the frequencies of both companies, and subscribers of both Telenor and Ufone are now operating on the same network in Karachi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad and some other cities.

“However, the integration of the billing mechanism, loading of balance, and migration of Telenor SIMs, etc., will commence at a later stage,” the official added.

In a statement, Ufone said it has promised continuity of service for both Ufone and Telenor customers during the integration process, along with access to improved connectivity and digital experience.

The company said that with this development, Telenor Pakistan’s operations, network infrastructure and customer base will be fully integrated into PTML (Ufone 5G), creating a combined entity with expanded reach, a stronger spectrum portfolio and greater capacity to invest in next-generation connectivity and digital services across the country.

President & CEO PTCL Hatem Bamatraf said: “This is a defining moment for our company and for Pakistan’s telecom industry. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Pakistan and to every institution involved in this process for their diligence and support throughout this journey.”

Bamatraf felicitated the customers for their trust in both Ufone and Telenor and praised the employees for their dedication and hard work.

“As we come together as one company, our ambition is to bring our customers cutting-edge products and services that set a new benchmark for digital experience in Pakistan,” he added.

Earlier in March, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) granted technical approval for the merger of Telenor Pakistan and Ufone, and the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was informed of the development.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

PIA’s privatisation
Updated 01 Jul, 2026

PIA’s privatisation

THE management control of PIA has finally been transferred to a consortium comprising private investors and the ...
Rights beyond rulings
01 Jul, 2026

Rights beyond rulings

THE Supreme Court’s recent ruling that jewellery, bridal gifts and dowry articles given to a bride remain her...
Asia left behind
01 Jul, 2026

Asia left behind

ALARMING regression has been witnessed in the Asian teams at the FIFA World Cup. A record nine representatives from...
Resurgent threat
Updated 30 Jun, 2026

Resurgent threat

THE message from Islamabad to Kabul seems to be clear: any act of terrorism inside Pakistan found to be linked to...
Unchecked powers
30 Jun, 2026

Unchecked powers

THERE is little disagreement that Punjab needs stronger tools to combat organised crime, habitual offenders and...
Patriot Pass
30 Jun, 2026

Patriot Pass

IT must be a shared humanity that has bonded the ‘leader of the free world’ so closely with his counterparts in...