Etisalat Sparks Diplomatic Drama Over Stalled Ufone-Telenor Merger

In a bold move, UAE-based telecom giant Etisalat has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to step in and break the deadlock surrounding the long-delayed merger of Ufone and Telenor Pakistan. Frustrated by over a year of inaction, Etisalat has formally appealed to the premier, urging immediate intervention to rescue the merger, which has hit a regulatory wall at the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP).

Read More: PTA Admits Failure as Massive IMEI Theft Exposes Flawed Mobile Blocking System

Sources within the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication revealed that the merger would see Ufone acquiring Norwegian-owned Telenor Pakistan, an arrangement touted as a game-changer for the country’s telecommunications landscape. Despite submitting all the necessary legal documents, the deal remains in limbo, leaving both companies facing significant financial losses and operational stagnation.

Adding fuel to the fire, Etisalat’s letter to the Prime Minister highlights Ufone’s critical role in Pakistan’s telecom sector and warns of dire consequences if the merger continues to stall. The company expressed “severe concern” over the CCP’s prolonged indecision, accusing the regulator of dragging its feet and potentially costing Pakistan billions in lost tax revenue and investment opportunities.

In an unexpected twist, the matter has now escalated to diplomatic channels, with the UAE urging Pakistan to act swiftly. Industry insiders warn that further delays could damage Pakistan’s reputation as an investment-friendly destination, potentially driving away other foreign investors.

Outrage is mounting in the telecom sector, with insiders questioning whether the CCP’s reluctance stems from bureaucratic inefficiencies or hidden political motives. Meanwhile, customers and businesses are left in limbo, wondering if this merger will ever see the light of day.

Observers say all eyes are now on the government’s next move, as the clock ticks on a merger that could redefine Pakistan’s telecom future—or become just another missed opportunity in the country’s regulatory quagmire. Will Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take decisive action, or will the deal remain stuck in red tape? Stay tuned.