The Shady Deal No One Wants You to Know About: Pakistan’s telecom sector is on the verge of a corporate coup, and the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is either too incompetent to stop it—or worse, complicit. The PTCL-Telenor merger, now delayed due to sudden “concerns” from CCP, reeks of corruption, backdoor lobbying, and a blatant disregard for consumers.
Read More: CCP’s Sudden U-Turn on Telenor-PTCL Merger Raises Eyebrows
But here’s the real kicker: This merger was always a disaster waiting to happen, and the CCP’s sudden “U-turn” is nothing but a smokescreen.
1. Etisalat’s Dirty Game – Holding Pakistan Hostage: Remember how Etisalat (PTCL’s UAE-based owner) has been withholding $800 million since 2005 over a property dispute with the Pakistani government? Now, they’re using the Telenor merger as leverage to strong-arm Islamabad into dropping their claims.
- Diplomatic pressure? Check.
- Corporate blackmail? Check.
- Pakistan getting screwed? As usual.
Sources reveal that Etisalat has threatened to pull out of the merger if the government doesn’t back off. And guess who’s caught in the middle? You—the consumer.
2. CCP’s Suspicious Flip-Flop – Who Got Paid?: The Competition Commssion of Pakistan (CCP) initially approved the merger, then suddenly backtracked, citing “anti-competitive concerns.” Funny, because:
- Jazz (VEON) was allowed to merge Warid without major hurdles.
- Zong faced no real resistance in expanding dominance.
- But PTCL-Telenor? Suddenly, CCP wakes up?
Insiders claim that rival telecom players (Jazz, Zong) lobbied hard to delay the merger, fearing a stronger PTCL. And CCP, instead of protecting consumers, is playing along.
3. The “Financing” Farce – PTCL’s Desperate Threats: PTCL’s CEO, Hatem Dowidar, is now warning that the merger delay could derail IFC (World Bank) financing. But let’s be real:
- Is this a genuine concern, or another pressure tactic?
- Why wasn’t financing secured BEFORE pushing for the merger?
- Or is this just another excuse to rush a bad deal?
The fact that PTCL is publicly pressuring CCP instead of addressing real consumer concerns speaks volumes.
4. The Real Losers? Pakistani Consumers: If this merger goes through without proper scrutiny:
- Prices will skyrocket (less competition = more monopoly).
- Service quality will drop (remember Jazz-Warid’s post-merger chaos?).
- Jobs will be cut (Telenor employees are already panicking).
And if the merger doesn’t happen?
- PTCL remains a sinking ship, wasting taxpayer money.
- Telenor exits Pakistan, leaving thousands jobless.
- Jazz/Zong tighten their oligopoly.
Either way, we lose.
The Bottom Line: Who’s Really Pulling the Strings?
- Etisalat wants its $800 million and doesn’t care how it gets it.
- PTCL is desperate for a lifeline, even if it screws consumers.
- CCP is either toothless or corrupt—maybe both.
- Jazz & Zong are quietly cheering as rivals struggle.
Pakistan’s telecom sector is a rigged game. And unless the media and public demand real transparency, this merger will be another corporate heist—paid for by YOU.
