Ufone and Telenor Pakistan Merger Approved: What It Means for 72 Million Subscribers
In a landmark development for Pakistan’s telecom industry, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved the merger of Telenor Pakistan into Ufone (Pak Telecom Mobile Limited or PTML). The PTA issued its approval on March 19, 2026, via a formal scheme of arrangement, reshaping the country’s mobile market from four operators to three.
How Did This Merger Happen?
Telenor first launched in Pakistan 18 years ago and built a subscriber base of over 42 million users. In December 2025, PTCL completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Telenor Pakistan’s issued share capital and Orion Towers for Rs108 billion. The PTA subsequently issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC), confirming that PTCL may proceed with the acquisition subject to the completion of all legal and commercial formalities. The authority’s key condition was that both companies ensure continuity and quality of services throughout the transition.
A New Market Structure: Three Players
The Ufone-Telenor merger creates a combined customer base of approximately 72 million subscribers, making it the second-largest telecom operator in Pakistan. Jazz, a VEON subsidiary, retains market leadership with around 74 million subscribers, while Zong (China Mobile Pakistan) holds approximately 54 million. The merged entity, often referred to as MergeCo, will hold about 35 percent of the market, compared to Jazz’s 37 percent.
Will Your Telenor Number Still Work?
Yes. Existing Telenor subscribers do not need to take any immediate action. Telenor Pakistan is now an autonomous subsidiary of PTCL and current numbers, services, and packages will continue to work as normal throughout the integration period. Awais Vohra has been appointed as acting CEO of the Telenor Pakistan entity, bringing continuity to the transition process.
Spectrum and 5G Advantages After the Merger
One of the most significant implications of the merger is the combined spectrum position. MergeCo will hold 292.4 MHz of spectrum across low, mid, and high frequency bands — 8 MHz more than any competitor. Ufone’s acquired 3.5 GHz allocation (twice that of any other operator) combined with Telenor’s existing 850 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands creates a comprehensive multi-layer 5G architecture. This positions MergeCo uniquely for both urban high-speed deployments and rural nationwide coverage.
Tower and Infrastructure Consolidation
The merged entity currently operates around 26,000 telecom towers, many located in close geographical proximity. While some redundant towers will be decommissioned during consolidation, the rationalised network is expected to be leaner and more cost-efficient, freeing capital for 5G infrastructure investment. Telenor’s historic strength in rural and northern areas combined with Ufone’s urban coverage creates a complementary nationwide network.
Competition: Jazz vs the New Giant
While the merged subscriber numbers are close on paper — MergeCo at 72 million versus Jazz at 74 million — analysts note that some subscribers hold SIMs from both Telenor and Ufone simultaneously and may consolidate post-merger. A realistic post-churn estimate puts MergeCo closer to 65 million subscribers. Jazz also maintains a significant edge in digital financial services through JazzCash, which has over 58 million customers, compared to Ufone’s Upaisa with 1.5 million active users.
Conclusion: Pakistan’s telecom consolidation is now complete in regulatory terms. The Ufone-Telenor merger transforms the competitive landscape, creates a meaningful challenger to Jazz, and sets the stage for a two-horse 5G race that will define Pakistani connectivity for the next decade.
