PTA Starts Evaluating Mobilink-Warid Deal for Approval

After Competition Commission of Pakistan’s approval of Mobilink-Warid merger, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has now started processing the application of proposed merger, we have checked with sources.

PTA, during its evaluation of merger request from Mobilink and Warid, is overseeing the regulatory aspects of the deal.

PTA is also going to look at any outstanding dues from both the companies, or any sister concerns, before granting the required approvals.

We have heard that PTA has already asked Mobilink, Warid to clear all pending dues, under various heads. Wateen and LinkDotNet had reportedly defaulted on some payments that are supposed to be take care now.

Additionally, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is writing letters to literally everyone including, cabinet division, standing committees, FBR, NAB and others to see if they have any objections over the proposed merger.

PTA’s approval is one of the four mandatory approvals that Mobilink and Warid will have to attain before going ahead with the merger.

CCP’s approval, that has already been granted, was considered as most crucial phase of getting the approvals.

Other than CCP and PTA, SECP and SBP will also review and approve the merger.

After these four regulatory approvals, Islamabad High Court will finally review the decisions of all bodies to give a final go ahead to the deal.

It is said that Mobilink-Warid — after getting all regulatory approvals — will start merging their operations August 2016 at least. Mobilink and Warid had said that it could take up to six months to merge operations from the date of getting all regulatory approvals.