Telenor Pakistan – usually the preachers of breaking the silence against the social odds through its Khamoshi Ka Boycott slogans – has backed down from its earlier stance and said that all the recent statements appearing in media citing the CEO of Telenor Pakistan are not true.
A rather confused Telenor took U-Turn when Tore Johnsen, former CEO of Telenor Pakistan and currently the Senior Vice President, Telenor Group, was urgently sent Islamabad to disavow and disown aggressive statements by Lars Christian Luel, CEO, Telenor Pakistan.
Minister of State for Information Technology Ms. Anusha Rahman while meeting with a delegation of Telenor.
Tore Johnsen, along with a delegation from Telenor Pakistan – met with Anusha Rehman, Minister for Telecom and IT and negated all the reports that appeared a day before in press citing Telenor Pakistan CEO.
Furthermore, as per a statement issued by Ministry of IT and Telecom, Tore Johnsen appreciated the various steps for creation of business friendly environment taken so for by the new Government in Pakistan.
It maybe recalled that Lars – just couple of days ahead – had said that Telenor might reconsider its decision of investing in Pakistan – for 3G rollout – due to tightening regulations and increased taxes.
Lars had condemned Supreme Court’s decision of imposing a limit of registering maximum of 5 SIMs on one CNIC and the ban on night packages.
He had said that its easier to buy a gun in Pakistan than SIM cards.
Telenor Pakistan CEO had threatened Pakistani government by saying that his group might not invest in Pakistan again due to unfavourable business conditions and increasing taxes.
Interestingly, Lars was contradicting his own boss, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO, Telenor Group, who had said last month that Telenor Group would invest over USD 1 billion in Pakistan after acquiring 3G spectrum in Pakistan.
It won’t be out of place to mention here that Telenor Pakistan added over 850,000 customers in April and May 2013, all time high during past 30 months, despite its CEO said that new sales are hard to earn due to tightening regulations and maximum of 5 SIMs on 1 CNIC rule.
Phatuuu
rightly said, Khamoshi kay Boycott ki sirf battain karna asaan hay
tax these telcos instead of taxing the customers. yes tax the rich, tax who deduct 8 percent of our money in the name of service charges
Where is Quaid-e-Azam’s picture? :(
Telenor’s Josh-e-khittabat I guess :/ ?
coward Telenor
Title is confusing. It makes the impression that Telenor took a bold stance and stepped down implying that perhaps they retain their bold stance and won’t bid on the 3G thing.
Why should Telenor or any foreign company invest in Pakistan or any country if the conditions will not allow profit?
@Pat With due respect and humbleness then Telenor or any other multinational has no obligation and they can pack up and leave. Pakistan is one of the most potential and lucrative telecom market with a population of over 180 million. I have been in telecom multinationals for over 25 years; they wont (I bet). Pakistan has already been too lenient on these multinationals who are minting money for years.
@ Pat:
Profit? 2012 revenue of Telenor Pakistan was NoK 5,654 million, up fro NoK 5,017 in 2011; Telenor has so far earned and conveniently repatriated to Norway a whooping profit of US$ 12 million against a total investment of US$2 million !
*US$ 12 billion against a total investment of US$2 billion !*
So this confirms that khamoshi ka boycot is just publicity stunt to sell their youth package. Right.
Brother khamoshi ka boycot is not only done by one person or one company .
Where were the other telcos to support Telenor in this cause. ?
This is what other Tecos said : ( I Suppose )
” Yaar Telenor be quite & keep on earning whatever you get , Kyun Shair ki peeth par tang mar rahay ho .
Chup karkay aam khao , darakth kyun ghin rahay ho , Humain bhi jinay do “
ary bhi shab telenar
ki sim ka kesy pata chaly ga net sa