In a surprising turn, Jazz raised concerns about the proposed acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL during a hearing with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), warning that the merged entity could manipulate tariffs and harm competition. But this position reeks of hypocrisy, given Jazz’s own controversial history with mergers.
Read More: Jazz CEO’s Dual Standards Exposed Amid Concerns Over PTCL-Telenor Merger
Jazz, which benefited from its 2016 Mobilink-Warid merger, now claims the PTCL-Telenor deal will threaten market fairness. Yet, back then, Jazz conveniently ignored the same competition concerns that it now raises. Its own dominance in the telecom sector, post-merger, is a clear example of how large players exploit mergers to consolidate power—something they are now criticizing PTCL for.
During the CCP hearings, Jazz’s legal team voiced fears over PTCL’s control of critical infrastructure and spectrum, a strategy Jazz itself leveraged after merging with Warid to boost its influence. While Jazz raises alarms about the merged entity signing exclusive deals with international operators, this is not dissimilar to tactics Jazz could employ in its dominant position.
Wateen and Zong also expressed concerns, echoing Jazz’s warnings of potential anti-competitive behavior. However, Jazz’s sudden advocacy for competition rings hollow considering how their own merger with Warid allowed them to become a market giant.
As PTCL’s legal team pointed out, competition and customer benefits flourished after the Mobilink-Warid merger, with players like Zong gaining ground. Jazz’s objections appear more as a defensive move to block competitors rather than a genuine concern for the industry’s future.
Jazz, a beneficiary of market dominance, now seems eager to prevent others from doing the same. Their sudden caution over competition dynamics reveals a striking double standard that demands scrutiny.
