ISLAMABAD: Following its acquisition by UAE-based telecom giant ‘e&’ (formerly Etisalat) and merger with Telenor Pakistan, the rebranding of cellular provider Ufone awaits government authorisation, the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was told on Monday.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman retired Maj Gen Hafeezur Rehman told the panel that the Privatisation Commission has stopped the PTA from granting approval for the proposed rebranding of Ufone to ‘e&’, saying that the matter could only be approved by the governments of Pakistan and UAE.

The Ufone management had sought to change their brand name to conform with the UAE-based telecom operator ‘e&’, following the PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan.

PTA chairman attributes connectivity issues to merger, 5G rollout; claims situation will improve next month

Briefing the committee, IT Secretary Zarar Hasham Khan said Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited (PTML) had approached the PTA for permission to change Ufone’s brand name, adding that the matter was currently under discussion, with different views emerging from the Competition Com­mission of Pakistan (CCP) and the PTA.

The committee was informed that any change of name would be made in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations and after obtaining the necessary approvals from the federal government.

Responding to the query about connectivity issues across the country, the PTA chairman attributed ongoing problems in major cities to the Ufone-Telenor merger and the rollout of 5G services, assuring the committee that these issues would be resolved by next month.

The body also raised alarm over Pak Datacom’s decision to shift its satellite-based connectivity from the national PakSat system to UAE-based Yahsat, warning that the move could have implications for national security.

Meanwhile, the committee deferred discussion on Starlink’s licencing issue after the PTA clarified that no licence application was pending with them and the matter was subject to clearance from other government departments.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026