Delay in Telenor–PTCL Merger Holds Up Pakistan’s 5G Spectrum Auction

Pakistan’s long-anticipated 5G spectrum auction has been paused amid regulatory uncertainty over the proposed merger between Telenor Pakistan and PTCL/Ufone. The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is awaiting clearer, formally submitted documents from PTCL, and litigation issues complicate the timeline  . IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized that neither the government nor her ministry can influence the CCP’s independent review process  . The number of telecom players post-merger will impact the auction structure, delaying the rollout further