PTA Wants More Power Over Telecom Transactions

In practice, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed removing the one-year limit for reconsidering telecom merger and transaction approvals, seeking the power to reopen its decisions whenever necessary.

Key points

• The proposal is part of PTA's comments on the draft Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, prepared by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
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• The ministry's draft allows PTA to review, revise, modify, or withdraw a determination or approval within one year of its issuance.
• After a review, PTA could problem a no-objection certificate, impose transaction-specific conditions, require behavioral or operational safeguards, or create recommendations to another competent authority.

Notably, the proposal is part of PTA's comments on the draft Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, prepared by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

Meanwhile, the ministry's draft allows PTA to review, revise, modify, or withdraw a determination or approval within one year of its issuance. PTA has proposed replacing this provision with language allowing it to reconsider a decision "as and when required." New PTA Report Reveals Pakistan's Fastest Mobile Network.

Notably, the change would remove the one-year restriction and allow PTA to revisit merger and transaction approvals based on changing market conditions, regulatory reservations, material facts or information received after the original decision.

Meanwhile, the proposed rules cover telecom mergers, acquisitions, amalgamations, joint ventures, transfers of control, spectrum consolidation and restructuring where a transaction could materially affect competition, market concentration, infrastructure access, consumer welfare or continuity of telecom services.

If PTA's proposed amendment is adopted, telecom transaction approvals could be reopened even after the one-year period if market conditions or other relevant circumstances change. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around PTA Wants More Power Over Telecom Transactions point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.