Islamabad/Barcelona – Feb 28, 2024: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group, is set to launch in Pakistan a cutting-edge Shoq TV Set-top Box powered by Android TV, to transform the TV viewing experience for its customers. It was announced by the President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Hatem Bamatraf, and Karen Teo, VP Android Partnerships APAC, Google during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The Android TV Set-top Box will feature multiple Google apps, including the Play Store, in addition to a sleek User Interface (UI) and captivating graphics to provide a transformative user experience.

Designed for optimum convenience and seamless control, the new Android TV Set-top Box will offer the ultimate entertainment experience. With pre-installed apps like YouTube and Netflix, users will be able to have an immersive big-screen experience with their favourite entertainment content. Users will be able to smoothly navigate between TV and other compatible Android apps to make the most of their leisure time.

Commenting on the development, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Hatem Bamatraf said, “I am thrilled by the launch of this innovative Shoq TV Box powered by Android TV in Pakistan in collaboration with Google. It feels like we’re bringing back an exciting gift from the MWC for our customers. For the past couple of years, PTCL Group has steadfastly focused on enhancing the quality of content and entertainment options for our valued customers. I hope that with a transformative blend of television and Android apps, the new Shoq TV box powered by Android TV will be a paradigm shift in entertainment for our customers.”

Also sharing her thoughts, Karen Teo, VP Android Partnerships APAC, Google said, “I’d like to congratulate the PTCL Group on the launch of Shoq TV Box, which will provide customers in Pakistan with access to the TV apps ecosystem and elevate their TV viewing and entertainment experience. Google is happy to be partnering with PTCL Group to continue driving innovation and growth of the Android TV platform in Pakistan.”

The new Shoq TV set-top box powered by Android TV will continue to offer more than two hundred television channels with a diverse array of Full HD channels. The new Set-top box bolsters PTCL Group’s continued focus on providing high-quality news and entertainment content in Pakistan. 

Islamabad, February 13, 2024: PTCL Group, Pakistan’s leading telecom and ICT services provider has achieved a double-digit revenue growth of 25.8% during the financial year 2023. PTCL Group has maintained its strong performance, strengthening its status as Pakistan’s top integrated telecom service provider. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), posted 15.4% growth in its revenues, owing to its strong performance in both retail and business segments, whereas Ufone achieved 25.6% growth in its revenues. The Group’s subsidiary, U Microfinance Bank, kept a strong momentum and posted 76.5% revenue growth during 2023.

The company announced its annual financial results for the year 2023 at its Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad on February 13, 2024.

Major Highlights of Financial Performance

PTCL Group

• PTCL Group’s revenue has increased by 25.8% YoY to Rs 190.6 billion, mainly driven by strong performance in the consumer segment led by fixed broadband, mobile data, and wholesale & business solutions, along with microfinance services.

• The Group’s profitability was, among other factors, particularly affected by significant Rupee devaluation and high interest rates during the year. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 14.1 billion.
• The biggest highlight for PTCL during 2023 has been the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement with Telenor Pakistan B.V. (Telenor) to acquire a 100% stake in Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (Telenor Pakistan) based on an Enterprise Value of PKR 108 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

PTCL

• PTCL continued its strong performance throughout 2023. PTCL posted revenue of Rs 96.3 billion for the year 2023 which is 15.4% higher than last year, mainly driven by growth in broadband and wholesale & business solutions segments.

• Flash Fiber, PTCL’s premium Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) service, showed tremendous growth with highest Net adds share within FTTH market in 2023.
• This phenomenal growth has been possible through the aggressive expansion of PTCL Flash Fiber and dedicated customer experience throughout the country.
• The company reported net profit of Rs 9.4 billion, highest since 2013, which is 3.7% higher as compared to last year.

Prompt deployment of FTTH and strong performance in Corporate and Wholesale segments are the cornerstones in PTCL’s topline growth.

PTCL Consumer Business:

PTCL fixed broadband business has shown 17.4% YoY growth propelled by the aggressive FTTH expansion. Flash Fiber showed unprecedented growth of 106.8%, taking lion’s share of the market’s net adds, whereas PTCL IPTV segment also grew by 2.5% YoY. Voice and Charji revenue streams continued the declining trajectory impacted by OTT services and competition from cellular operators.

Business Services:

The business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP Bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s Enterprise business grew by 25.7% as compared to last year, while Carrier and Wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 21.9% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 17.9% as compared to last year. Overall Business Solutions revenue has grown by 21.9% on a year-on-year basis.

Being the national telecom carrier and connectivity backbone in Pakistan, PTCL Group strives to provide innovative solutions to accelerate growth for a ‘Digital Pakistan’ through robust telecommunication infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of services with enhanced customer experience.

As Pakistan's backbone of connectivity, PTCL Group is at the forefront to provide innovative solutions that strengthen the idea of a 'Digital Pakistan'. This is accomplished by building strong telecommunication infrastructure and offering a diverse range of services, all focused on elevating customer satisfaction and accelerating digitalization in the country.

PTCL Group signed Pakistani cricket icons, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah as brand ambassadors for the Group to celebrate the nation’s roaring passion for cricket and to rally support for the Pakistan Cricket Team during its ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign.

PTCL Group has been awarded the ‘Best Place to Work in Technology & Telecom Sector’ by PSHRM-Engage Consulting, along with being recognized as the ‘Most Facilitating Employer’ at NUST Placement Recognition Awards 2023.

PTML – Ufone:

In 2023, Ufone 4G emerged as the standout performer in the telecom industry, reporting exceptional revenue growth of 25.6%, surpassing all other operators. Ufone 4G posted the highest 4G net adds in the industry.

This growth has been possible due to better customer experience and digital engagement through multiple data-centric products and strategic partnerships with leading digital platforms. Ufone 4G continues its network modernization activities to provide unmatched customer experience across Pakistan.

The introduction of ONIC, PTCL Group’s ambitious project, marks a pivotal step towards digital transformation. ONIC aims to be an all-encompassing digital platform, offering a suite of services ranging from e-commerce and financial services to entertainment and connectivity solutions.

PTCL & Ufone 4G, has entered into a strategic alliance with the esteemed Pakistani cricket franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, for the upcoming 9th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

U Bank

Ubank, microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved a remarkable 76.5% growth in revenue over the corresponding period of last year, while maintaining a strong balance sheet position as the bank continued to diversify its asset classes and funding streams while ensuring positive bottom-line impact. The bank stands resolute in its commitment towards financial and social inclusion, utilizing its extensive outreach to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele across the length and breadth of the country through its rural retail banking, corporate finance & investment banking, Islamic banking, urban retail banking, corporate banking, and digital banking canvases.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Throughout 2023, PTCL Group engaged in a variety of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, showcasing a commitment to making a positive impact on society. One notable initiative involved supporting Pehli Kiran Schools in backward areas of Islamabad by providing Evo Charji Devices, ensuring seamless internet connectivity for out-of-school children.

Additionally, PTCL Group actively participated in national initiatives such as the Polio Eradication Campaign with UNICEF and organized a massive blood donation drive at its headquarters in alignment with 'World Blood Donor Day.' The organization collaborated with GSMA for a knowledge-sharing workshop addressing the gender gap in mobile usage in Pakistan. In order to promote environmental protection, a tree plantation campaign in collaboration with Parks & Horticulture Authority was also carried out.

Lahore January 25, 2024: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G), and largest integrated gas company of Pakistan, SNGPL have renewed their partnership for the continued provision of the state-of-the-art cellular services to SNGPL under PTCL Group Business Solutions.

Group Chief Business Solutions Officer (GCBSO), PTCL & Ufone 4G, Zarrar Hasham Khan, and MD/ CEO, SNGPL, Amer Tufail signed the agreement at SNGPL headquarters in Lahore, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. Under this agreement, PTCL Group will provide wireless connectivity and a host of bundled services to SNGPL.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer PTCL & Ufone 4G, stated, "PTCL Group takes pride in playing a significant role in driving technological advancement and transformation in Pakistan. Our provision of connectivity and ICT services brings substantial convenience and empowerment to individual users and enterprises, including SNGPL, which serves over 7.20 million consumers in North Central Pakistan. Our steadfast commitment is geared towards creating an environment that fosters technological innovation and transformation throughout Pakistan."

MD/ CEO, SNGPL, Amer Tufail said, “We are pleased to renew our collaboration with the PTCL Group to offer high-quality Cellular/ Internet of things products and services. SNGPL is a trusted brand, committed to serving domestic, commercial and industrial consumers to deliver sustainable growth and efficiency. That is why, we constantly invest and innovate with a commitment to deliver natural gas in our chosen areas through continuous expansion of our network, by optimally employing technological, human and organizational resources, best practices and high ethical standards.”

PTCL Group and SNGPL excel in leveraging technology to enable and empower their respective customers, besides contributing immensely to the growth and development in Pakistan. The mutual collaboration enhances their impact on a larger scale to help enrich and strengthen Pakistan’s economic landscape. 

Karachi – January 04, 2024: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G), and leading GPS tracking and IoT services provider, TPL Trakker have renewed their partnership for the continued provision of the state-of-the-art machine to machine (M2M) and ICT services to TPL Trakker under PTCL Group Business Solutions.

Group Chief Business Solutions Officer (GCBSO), PTCL & Ufone 4G, Zarrar Hasham Khan, and CEO, TPL Trakker, Rao Salman signed the agreement at TPL Trakker headquarters in Karachi, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. Under this agreement, PTCL Group will provide wireless connectivity and a host of bundled services to TPL Trakker, to enable the company’s premium and efficiency-boosting vehicle tracking, performance management, and other IoT services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Zarrar Hasham Khan said, “PTCL Group being the National company is proud to be major proponent of technological enablement and transformation in Pakistan. Our connectivity and ICT services provide great deal of ease and enablement to our enterprise customers, like TPL Trakker, who in turn extend game-changing products and services to the people of Pakistan. We are steadfast in our commitment to further enhancing conduciveness for tech-based innovation and transformation in Pakistan.”

CEO, TPL Trakker, Rao Salman said, “We are proud to announce a historic expansion of our collaboration with PTCL Group, propelling us towards undoubted leadership in the Pakistani IoT landscape. This renewed partnership reaffirms our joint commitment to our unwavering focus on connectivity and positions us as pioneers in developing and delivering cutting-edge IoT solutions. Capitalizing on our local insights and harnessing PTCL's specialized knowledge, we aspire to deliver state-of-the-art solutions that is customized to meet the distinctive requirements of our diverse clientele. This strategic alliance paves the way for innovation, efficiency, and seamless nationwide connectivity. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our stakeholders for their continued support as we embark on this transformative journey together.”

PTCL Group and TPL Trakker excel in leveraging digital technology to enable and empower their respective customers, besides contributing immensely to the growth and development of ICT technologies in Pakistan. The mutual collaboration enhances their impact on a larger scale to help enrich and strengthen Pakistan’s digital landscape.

Islamabad, December 14, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (“PTCL”), part of e& Group (e&), today announced that it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Telenor Pakistan B.V. (Telenor) to acquire a 100% stake in Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (Telenor Pakistan) based on an Enterprise Value of PKR 108 Billion on a cash free, debt free basis.

The acquisition brings together the strengths and expertise of both PTCL Group and Telenor Pakistan, creating synergies that will drive innovation and bolster our market, allowing us to reach a broader customer base and accelerate digital transformation journey. The milestone will add to PTCL's strategic growth and market expansion, solidifying its position as a key player. Our combined strength will revolutionize the telecom industry in Pakistan.

Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & PTML, said, “We are confident that the strategic synergies created by combining forces with Telenor Pakistan will result in enhanced value for our customers and stakeholders as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of this transaction. Both PTCL and Telenor possess strong and talented teams which would be dedicated towards developing a culture of delivery and teamwork by adopting the best of both companies. The combined entity will serve as a best-in-class provider across all domains with better coverage, seamless data experience, massive reach and a wide range of products and services for customers.” 

Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, said, “The strategic acquisition of Telenor Pakistan presents a significant opportunity for market consolidation, empowering us to invest more in creating the best next-generation network in Pakistan. This move reinforces our commitment to the progress of the country’s telecom sector, delivering added value to our customers and shareholders. In shaping a telecom legacy where innovation and connectivity merge to explore future opportunities, we aim to accelerate digital transformation to better serve our customers and community.”

Hassan Nasir Jamy, Chairman PTCL Board, said, “PTCL Group has played a pivotal role in connecting the people of Pakistan. This commitment further solidifies our resolve to build a prosperous and digitally connected nation and to be the national champion to support Pakistan’s digital transformation. This agreement will go a long way in ensuring that we provide our customers with the most efficient and technologically advanced solutions.”

The completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. PTCL is actively working towards a smooth transition process to ensure minimal disruption for employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

Islamabad – November 02, 2023: Pakistan’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) in collaboration with Pink Ribbon Pakistan led a month-long campaign dedicated to educating and raising awareness about breast cancer. The campaign, multifaceted in its approach, exemplified the Group's commitment to empowering individuals in their fight against breast cancer, emphasizing its dedication to the cause and support for those impacted by this disease.

The Group kick-started the campaign by converting the official company logos to pink on all digital platforms. This was followed by an internal awareness messaging campaign to educate employees about early detection and breast cancer prevention, accompanied by an awareness session in collaboration with Pink Ribbon. The session featured a panel discussion with Dr. Erum Najeeb, General Surgeon, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr. Asma Mahfooz from PTCL's Health Team, a breast cancer survivor and a caregiver to a breast cancer patient. This discussion fostered open dialogues, promoted understanding and addressed questions, effectively breaking down knowledge barriers.

The campaign featured a range of awareness activities, each designed to educate and encourage employees to actively raise awareness about Breast Cancer. A Pink Futsal Match was also organized between PTCL Group and Eikon 7 in solidarity with the cause.

Throughout October, employees were encouraged to wear pink and share pledges at the Pledge Wall placed at Ufone Tower to publicly commit to supporting the cause. Furthermore, Ufone Tower and PTCL’s NEST Office were illuminated pink, demonstrating solidarity and community support for breast cancer survivors.

In addition to this, a donation drive was carried through UPaisa, and donation boxes were placed in office buildings to generate funds for Pakistan’s first specialized breast cancer hospital.

Concluding the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an awareness session was also conducted at Edhi Homes Islamabad to educate women and young girls about this disease.

Through this initiative, PTCL Group strives to emphasize the significance of early detection and to create an environment that uplifts survivors and empowers those affected by the disease.

Islamabad, October 24, 2023: PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G), Pakistan's leading telecommunications and ICT services provider has partnered with Evam, a leading Martech platform for creating real-time, cross-channel customer experience. This collaboration underlines the Group’s unwavering dedication to provide its customers with the best communication services and driving forward Pakistan’s digital transformation.

PTCL Group will be introducing new customer experiences and products with support from Evam’s next-gen real-time engine. This cutting-edge technology will ensure seamless experiences across all digital and telco touchpoints. Evam will empower the Group’s business partners to leverage real-time data, along with profiles and AI models to deliver a superior experience. This will increase customer satisfaction in order to boost revenues and enhance customer loyalty. The project will be delivered through a collaboration between Evam’s professional services team and their exclusive partner for Pakistan, Techfinity.

Jafar Khalid, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer for PTCL & Ufone 4G, shared thoughts on the partnership, stating, "This alliance between PTCL Group and Evam enhances our customer engagement strategies, aiming to provide a tailored experience for every customer, thereby delivering outstanding value. We trust that teaming up with Evam will enable us to better understand and serve our customers, ultimately leading to stronger and lasting relationships.”

Chief Executive Officer, Evam Doruk Mutlu, said, “As the CEO of Evam, I am deeply honored by the trust PTCL Group has placed in our company's capabilities. I am committed to working closely with our dedicated leadership team to not only meet but exceed their expectations. In tandem with this project, we are excited to announce our increased investments in Pakistan. We are also proud to unveil our plans to establish a local center of excellence in collaboration with our partner, Techfinity, to better serve our valued customers in Pakistan and around the world."

For PTCL Group, this partnership with Evam marks a significant stride towards revolutionizing customer experiences. With a shared commitment to excellence, we are poised to deliver seamless, personalized interactions that redefine the digital landscape in Pakistan. Together, both organizations look forward to setting new benchmarks in customer-centric innovation, both domestically and on the global stage.

Islamabad, October 23, 2023: PTCL Group, the largest ICT services provider in Pakistan refutes all claims and rumors regarding the financial health of U Microfinance Bank (Ubank) its wholly owned subsidiary. Ubank is Pakistan’s fastest-growing microfinance bank and one of the key players in the banking industry, highlights a robust and unwavering financial structure and has a strong capital base.

PTCL Group ensures that the teams at Ubank, from the management to those on-ground, will continue to make progress, innovate, and endeavor to achieve the bank’s core mission of financial inclusion for all segments of Pakistani society. Ubank’s Gross Loan Portfolio is one of the highest in the industry as a result of the bank’s sustainable growth strategy. Almost 54% of this portfolio is backed by gold, displaying the financial resilience of the bank against its lending practices. The diverse portfolio of Ubank also includes solar financing, agriculture including tractor financing, housing, and vehicle financing, etc.

Ubank enjoys strong and positive backing from PTCL Group. The bank has a paid-up capital of PKR 4 Billion, PKR 1 Billion as additional Tier-1 capital and PKR 1.2 Billion as Tier-2 capital from PTCL. In addition to this, the bank has also raised PKR 1 Billion additional Tier-1 capital from the market. The bank’s funding base continues to grow on a regular basis with consistent cash flows, deposits, lending, and capital influx.

Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G and Chairman, Board of Directors, U Microfinance Bank, said: “Ubank has always enjoyed strong backing from PTCL Group. The bank has demonstrated impressive financial performance and positive growth trajectory; therefore, I would like to reiterate that PTCL Group firmly stands with the bank and reassures the investors, customers and shareholders of its continued support. Currently, we don’t foresee the need of any equity injection in the bank but are fully committed to meet any future growth requirements.”

Given the strong capital base, diversified revenue engines and portfolio, coupled with unprecedented growth, Ubank remains credible with a long-term credit rating of A+ awarded to it by PACRA Credit Rating Agency and VIS Credit Rating Company. Both the rating agencies in Pakistan have reported Ubank to have a ‘Stable’ outlook, recognizing the bank’s sustainable business strategic initiatives.

The Incumbent President & CEO, U Microfinance Bank, Mohamed Essa Al Taheri was earlier associated with Ubank as a Member of the Board of Directors and has previously worked with e& Group as the Group EVP Financial Policies and Systems. In light of the on-going developments, Al Taheri states, “We want to address recent rumors circulating on various platforms, regarding UPaisa & U Microfinance Bank's capital base. These claims are entirely baseless and unfounded. Ubank has a strong and committed management team and enjoys complete support from its investors, partners, stakeholders and customers as the bank continues to strive for growth and excellence.”

PTCL is owned 62% by the Government of Pakistan and 26% by e& (formerly Etisalat), whereas its subsidiary U Microfinance Bank came into existence in 2012 and since then has only witnessed consistent and unwavering growth. The bank has steadily enhanced its profitability as an institution over the years, while significantly increasing its presence across multiple urban, as well as rural regions of Pakistan. Ubank and its wide network of 350+ branches is a testament to the bank’s commitment to reaching the unbanked population at the last mile while providing viable financial products and services to its customers. 

Islamabad – October 20, 2023: PTCL Group, the largest ICT services provider in Pakistan, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mohamed Essa Al Taheri as the new acting President and CEO of U Microfinance Bank. The decision came after the former President and CEO, Mr. Kabeer Naqvi tendered his resignation and it was subsequently accepted by the Group. 

President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Hatem Bamatraf welcomed the new CEO aboard while he bid farewell to the outgoing CEO, expressing his heartfelt gratitude for years of dedicated service. In his role as Chairman, Board of Governors of U Microfinance Bank, Mr. Hatem Bamatraf conveyed his unwavering commitment to provide the new CEO with steadfast support in order to sustain the Bank's growth trajectory. Moreover, U Microfinance Bank, an investment of PTCL Group, enjoys strong backing from the Group as it has consistently demonstrated impressive financial strength and performance.

The new CEO has long been associated with U Microfinance Bank as a Member of its Board of Directors. He brings significant experience from his previous role as the Group EVP for Financial Policies and Systems at e& Group. He holds a Master's in International Business from the University of Wollongong, Dubai. He has over 20 years of professional experience, including positions at HSBC Bank, Dubai Commercial Bank, and the Development Board of the Dubai Government.

PTCL Group believes that Mr. Essa Al Taheri will play an instrumental role in the bank’s growth and progress, continuing with the remarkable and sustained digital transformation and innovation. The Group wishes him well. 

Islamabad, October 17, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the leading telecom and ICT services providers in the country, has announced financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The announcement was made during the Board of Directors' meeting held in Dubai on October 17, 2023.

In the first nine months of 2023, PTCL Group has maintained its strong performance, strengthening its status as Pakistan's top integrated telecom service provider. Despite the challenging economic environment, the Group has achieved an impressive 26.3% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year. This substantial growth can be mainly attributed to outstanding performance in various sectors, including fixed broadband, mobile data, business solutions, and mobile banking services.

The business environment in 2023 remains affected by the unfavorable macroeconomic challenges that emerged in 2022. Increasing energy and fuel costs persist as hurdles for telecom companies, making it challenging to offer top-notch services to consumers at reasonable rates. Network expansion plans were also affected by the adoption of measures aimed at regulating foreign currency reserves. The substantial devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee during the first quarter, coupled with mounting interest rates and an additional super tax alongside regular corporate tax, has significantly affected profitability. To address the challenges being faced by the telecom sector, it is imperative that the government offers policy intervention to alleviate the impact.

PTCL Group Highlights

• PTCL Group’s revenue of Rs 139.6 billion in 2023 is 26.3% higher as compared to the same period of last year.
• The Group’s profitability was, among other factors, particularly affected by significant Rupee devaluation during the period as the Group has unhedged FOREX liabilities. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 9.3 billion.
• PTCL continued its growth trajectory by posting 17.2% YoY revenue growth.
• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew remarkably by 24.3% YoY as compared to the same period of last year.
• Ubank has achieved a significant 80.3% growth in its revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Highlights:

• PTCL’s revenue of Rs 71.6 billion for the period is 17.2% higher than 2022, mainly driven by growth in Carrier & Wholesale, Enterprise, and Broadband segments.
• The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 4.2 billion with an impressive 29.6% growth over last year and a net profit of Rs 7.6 billion.

PTCL Consumer Business:

PTCL Fixed Broadband Business achieved significant revenue growth of 16.7% vs. last year. PTCL Flash Fiber remains the fastest-growing operator through the highest net adds contribution in the industry. This phenomenal growth has been possible through the aggressive expansion of PTCL Flash Fiber and dedicated customer experience throughout the country. PTCL Flash Fiber reported 104.9% revenue growth YoY. Moreover, IPTV segment has been further equipped with the addition of 50 channels reaching a total of 200 channels to cater growing customer TV viewing needs. Voice and Charji revenue streams continued the declining trajectory impacted by OTT services and competition from cellular operators.

PTCL Business Services:

The business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s enterprise business grew by 31.8% as compared to last year, while carrier and wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 29.2% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 17.9% as compared to last year. Despite the current challenging economic environment, overall Business Solutions revenue has shown a remarkable 27% year-on-year growth.

As Pakistan's primary telecom provider and the core of the country's connectivity, PTCL Group is committed to providing creative solutions that propel the advancement of a 'Digital Pakistan'. This is accomplished by building strong telecommunication infrastructure and offering a diverse range of services, all focused on elevating customer satisfaction and hastening progress in the nation. Ufone 4G|PTCL Business Solutions has partnered with DynaSys to support the IoT and Satcom needs of business partners. It will help achieve that objective by providing futuristic, innovative, and cost-effective solutions even in the remotest parts of the country. In addition, the company has joined hands with ChildLife Foundation to provide telecom services for the remote telemedicine facility in more than 200 telemedicine satellite and emergency centers across Pakistan. Moreover, PTCL and Board of Revenue Baluchistan signed an agreement for provisioning of IaaS Smart Cloud Services at PTCL’s Tier-III Data Center for Land Record Management System (LRMS) and Fiber Optic Connectivity at Facilitation Centers at different districts of the province.

PTML – Ufone 4G Highlights:

Ufone 4G for the first time in history has crossed a milestone mark of 25 million subscribers in Q3'23 and reported a 24.3% YoY revenue increase. Ufone 4G posted the highest net adds in the industry and led the industry in 4G acquisitions during the quarter. Our 4G base crossed the mark of 14 million for the first time in Sep’23. This growth has been possible due to better customer experience and digital engagement through multiple data-centric products and strategic partnerships with leading digital platforms. Ufone 4G continues its network modernization activities to provide unmatched customer experience across Pakistan.

The company has started transforming its flagship joint shops nationwide into Digital Lifestyle Experience Shops, aimed at delivering an end-to-end digital lifestyle experience to its customers. The joint shops are equipped to provide a comprehensive suite of world-class services, including a wide range of handsets, internet devices, repair & maintenance, exclusive discounts & value-added offers. Ufone’s Upaisa is now part of e&Money, UAE and MobilyPay, KSA Apps menu facilitating Pakistani diaspora to send money directly into UPaisa wallets by using these apps.

Ubank Highlights:

Ubank, microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved a remarkable 80.3% growth in revenue over the corresponding period of last year, while maintaining a strong balance sheet position. The bank stands resolute in its commitment towards financial and social inclusion, utilizing its extensive outreach to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele across the length and breadth of the country through its rural retail banking, corporate finance & investment banking, Islamic banking, urban retail banking, corporate banking, and digital banking canvases.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

In the first nine months of 2023, PTCL Group actively engaged in various CSR endeavors to reinforce its role as a national carrier. These initiatives included a collaboration with GSMA, focusing on addressing Digital Gender Disparity through a workshop aimed at bridging the gender gap in mobile usage in Pakistan. Additionally, PTCL and Ufone 4G partnered with the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) in Rawalpindi to carry out a tree planting campaign at Khajut on Murree Expressway. This effort aimed to promote environmental conservation and bolster the country's resilience against climate change. Furthermore, in response to severe natural disasters in North African countries like Morocco and Libya, the Group spearheaded a significant CSR project. The initiative's goal was to facilitate free calls connecting families in Pakistan with their affected loved ones in those crisis-stricken regions. Lastly, PTCL Group collaborated with ConnectHear, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with hearing impairments, to organize a sign language training session for its Customer Service Center. Demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, PTCL Group actively contributes to the well-being of society.

Islamabad – October 12, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited has decided to sell its twelve surplus immovable assets in nine cities to strengthen its financial health and service capacity. This is in consideration of the company’s aggressive network and ICT infrastructure expansion plans.

Required approvals have been accorded for the planned sale of company’s properties, situated in Attock, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Kasur, Multan, Okara, Sadiqabad and Sialkot.

As a responsible corporate entity, PTCL ensures strict compliance with the relevant company policies and legal frameworks in all business operations. The planned transactions will be carried out through a transparent auction process in accordance with the rules and regulations to provide an equal opportunity to all individuals/firms interested in buying the properties.

The funds generated from these properties will be allocated to the expansion of PTCL's network and IT infrastructure. The liquid resources will play a pivotal role in financing upcoming projects aimed at delivering enhanced connectivity and integrated ICT services to an even larger consumer and enterprise user base across the nation. PTCL remains committed to its mission to provide seamless connectivity solutions to meet the evolving needs of Pakistan's digital landscape. 

Islamabad – October 11, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) has bagged the coveted ‘Best Place to Work in Technology & Telecom Sector’ award for its exemplary workplace culture and standards of employee satisfaction. The awards were held by Pakistan Society of Human Resource Management’ (PSHRM) and Engage Consulting.

PTCL Group’s victory reflects the success of its initiative to transform its workplace culture. Over these years, the Group has undertaken profound initiatives to foster a progressive workplace, strongly grounded in diversity, inclusivity, equality, with personal and professional development. The company offers competitive remunerations, performance incentives, active mentorship, work-life balance, and mental and physical well-being to promote employee satisfaction.

Women and employees with special needs enjoy exclusive facilities, along with equal opportunities for growth and career advancement. The state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern office facilities provide a comfortable and peaceful work environment, while strict disciplinary and work ethics codes protect all employees equally and transparently.

Group Chief People Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Shoaib Baig stated, “Embracing the award, PTCL Group stands tall in the industry. We're bold, unyielding, and hungry for success as we conquer every challenge in our path. With robust plans in telecom and digital tech, we're on the lookout for top notch talent as we believe in expressing talent and adding value to our dynamic and inclusive environment, where potential knows no bounds.”

The awards are a benchmark for recognizing the best companies to work for in Pakistan. PTCL Group being honoured in the list of winners is a testament to its commitment towards its positive organizational culture as well as the community at large.

Islamabad – October 6, 2023: In line with its commitment to enhance user experience, PTCL is bringing advertisement-free live streaming of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on its OTT platform ‘SHOQ’. Through this feature, Pakistani fans will be able to enjoy a high quality and uninterrupted viewing experience in full High Definition (HD).  

PTCL SHOQ is transforming the match viewing experience for the passionate cricket fans by bringing an uninterrupted relay of the on-ground action and commentary without ads. Viewers will also be able to watch the side action, such as field placements and exchanges between players, that takes place during the ad breaks.

The platform is available to all data users with any smartphone or data network, so that everyone can enjoy an uninterrupted ad-free cricket viewing experience on their android TVs or digital device of their choice for the first time in the country. SHOQ app is available on Google Play and App Store for mobile devices while it can also be accessed on the Web.

Users can simply download the SHOQ app or access it on the Web, subscribe to the service and start streaming. While SHOQ delivers high-quality content and streaming experience, its prices are rather affordable. Depending upon their convenience, users may choose between Daily, Weekly and Monthly Lite packages, which cost PKR 08, PKR 42 and PKR 120 respectively. Payments can be made through multiple platforms including Ufone 4G recharge, Easypaisa and Visa cards. The subscription can also be availed as part of certain Ufone 4G Data Bundles & PTCL Quadplay bundles, which delivers added convenience for PTCL and Ufone 4G customers.

Apart from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches, SHOQ provides access to a large and diverse assortment of media and entertainment content, blockbuster movies and seasons from major Hollywood studios such as Warner Bros, Paramount, and 20th Century FOX, amongst others. It also hosts one hundred most watched local and international live TV channels, Pakistani movies and originals to cater to the entertainment needs of the entire family.

Islamabad – October 04, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecom services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) has signed Pakistani cricket icons, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah as brand ambassadors for the Group to celebrate the nation’s roaring passion for cricket and to rally support for the Pakistan Cricket Team during its ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign.

World’s No. 01 batsman and Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team, Babar Azam is Ufone 4G’s current brand ambassador, who is featuring in Ufone 4G’s brand new marketing campaign, ‘U Tou Babar Hai’, implying that both Ufone 4G and its customers are as talented and motivated, and worthy of glory in their respective fields as the World No. 01 ODI batsman. The campaign comes at an important juncture where the entire nation is in the grip of cricket fever ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where Babar Azam will lead the men in green.

The campaign is primarily a tribute to Babar Azam’s unrelenting winning spirit and a call to every Pakistani to explore their inner ‘unstoppable’ Babar for ultimate success. The creative teams have masterfully crafted the TV Commercial (TVC) to capture Babar Azam’s formidable on-screen presence, matchless cricketing prowess, and his ‘unstoppable’ pursuit of excellence. The enthralling anthem effectively disseminates the intended message that anyone can be successful like Babar through a razor-sharp focus, strong commitment and consistent effort towards their goals.

Ufone TVC Link: Click here

The TVC is an acoustic and visual treat that will captivate the audience and rally massive support for the Pakistani Cricket Team. ‘Dahar Le’ (Roar!) is an electrifying jingle that channels the nation’s passion and the players’ energy when it comes to facing opponents on the field.  The campaign is poised to bolster the ‘Pakistani’ brand identity of Ufone 4G besides firmly imprinting Ufone 4G’s constant presence during the nation’s moments of joy, togetherness, and celebration.

PTCL TVC Link: Click here

Likewise, the two key members of Pakistan’s pace battery, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah have come aboard as the brand ambassadors of PTCL Flash Fiber. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are amongst the world’s fastest and most feared bowlers. Both players are at the top of their game for their speed and are loved by millions of Pakistanis. Their passion resonates with PTCL Flash Fiber, which is not only the fastest internet in Pakistan, but also delivers a matchless user experience to its customers in terms of data connectivity.

PTCL Group wishes the Pakistan Cricket Team all the best for the tournament and hopes that the men in green will win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to provide the nation a great opportunity to celebrate. 

Islamabad – July 24, 2023: Pakistan's leading ICT services provider, PTCL Group (comprising PTCL & Ufone 4G), joined forces with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) to co-host a momentous knowledge-sharing workshop titled "Connected Women Strategy Workshop." The primary objective of this workshop was to tackle the gender gap in mobile usage in Pakistan, leveraging insights from the authoritative Mobile Gender Gap 2023 report.

During the workshop, the invaluable expertise of the GSMA team in the realm of mobile technology usage by micro-entrepreneurs played a pivotal role in guiding the PTCL Group team. The collaborative efforts led to the identification of strategic pathways for harnessing the transformative potential of mobile technology. This newfound understanding facilitated the development of innovative approaches tailored explicitly towards empowering women micro-entrepreneurs, fostering their growth, inclusivity, and economic empowerment through the effective utilization of mobile technology.

Sajid Munir, Group VP Commercial Strategy, PTCL & Ufone 4G, expressed "Amplifying connectivity for women across Pakistan is our unwavering dedication. Working hand in hand with GSMA, we share the mission to ensure that women from every corner of the nation can fully harness the untapped potential of digital platforms."

PTCL Group is committed to an inclusive digital future, bridging the gender gap, and empowering women economically. Partnering with GSMA, they strive to ensure equal opportunities for everyone, fostering success in the evolving digital landscape. This collaboration marks a powerful step towards gender parity in mobile usage, driving positive change for a more inclusive and empowered society in Pakistan. 

Islamabad – September 27, 2023: Pakistan’s large telecommunication operator, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) collaborated with ConnectHear, a social enterprise working to empower persons with hearing impairment, to organize a sign language training session for its Customer Service Center (Joint Shops) representatives from the North region. Coinciding with the International Day of Sign Languages, the training aimed to promote inclusivity and enhance the accessibility of PTCL and Ufone 4G services for customers with hearing impairment.

CEO/Co-founder ConnectHear, Ms. Azima Dhanjee led the engaging and interactive training session that included a variety of activities and real-life case studies designed to sensitize the PTCL Group customer service staff to the unique needs of Deaf customers.

The session is a pioneering initiative in Pakistan’s telecom industry that mirrors PTCL Group’s strong focus on promoting the inclusivity of differently-abled persons. Inclusion has always been a cornerstone of the Group's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and by providing sign language training to its customer service representatives, PTCL Group reaffirms its commitment to creating a more accessible environment for all its customers.

Commenting during the session, Group Director, Public Relations, Media, CSR & Corporate Communications, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Amir Pasha, said, "Inclusivity is a major driver of socioeconomic change, therefore it is the foundation of PTCL Group’s CSR program. We believe every customer should have equal access to our services, regardless of their abilities. I am positive that the Deaf sensitization training for our customer-facing teams will improve customer experience."

CEO/Co-founder of ConnectHear, Azima Dhanjee, said, "It is heartening to see PTCL Group playing a significant role and actively participating in Deaf sensitization in Pakistan’s telecom industry. Our partnership, particularly this initiative, sets a commendable example for other organizations to follow suit to help bring about a more diverse, inclusive and compassionate society in the country."

PTCL Group's initiative serves as a beacon for other public and private organizations looking to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks.

Islamabad – Sept 20, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunication and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL and Ufone 4G) has launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in response to the devastating natural calamities across the North African countries, Morocco and Libya. The initiative aims to connect families in Pakistan with their loved ones in these crisis-stricken countries to help them find strength and solace during these tough times.

As these two countries are home to a considerable Pakistani diaspora that has been affected by these calamities, PTCL Group has stepped forward to alleviate the suffering of impacted Pakistanis. Ufone 4G was the first to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Morocco, and now PTCL is expanding the initiative's scope by offering free calls to both Morocco and Libya.

The offer is valid for 15 days from September 19 to October 03, 2023, providing 30 minutes of free International Direct Dialing (IDD). However, a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) will be in place, allowing each subscriber to use a total of 30 minutes of free calling over the 15-day period for both countries. This offer is inclusive and available to all PTCL customers, regardless of their subscription plan or package.

Ufone 4G has also launched a 7-day call package for Libya and Morocco that includes 30 minutes of free International Direct Dialing (IDD). The package for both countries can be subscribed by dialing code *2255#. The facility remains valid for an entire month, providing ample time for affected individuals and their families to reach out to one another, facilitate the search, and rescue as required.

PTCL Group being a socially responsible organization actively contributes to the well-being of society. 

Islamabad – September 13, 2023: Pakistan’s leading ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) have successfully implemented SAP RISE with SAP S/4HANA, marking an innovative digital transformation within the telecom sector. This strategic move is poised to modernize PTCL Group’s corporate operations, fostering efficiency, effectiveness, and a culture of digitization. The official go-live ceremony took place at PTCL HQ in Islamabad, graced by the presence of senior management from PTCL & Ufone 4G, as well as distinguished figures from SAP, IBM, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The ceremony also included appreciation certificates for team members involved in this transformation.

PTCL & Ufone 4G, pioneers in Pakistan’s telecom sector, became the first to leverage a blend of top-notch SAP ERP solutions, facilitated by the SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud. This collaboration is a monumental transformation that will optimize resource allocation, real-time data insights, streamlining business processes, and bridging organizational information silos. This is so far the largest customer go-live on SAP Rise with SAP S/4HANA in Pakistan, with IBM as their implementation partner and AWS as their hosting partner. 

While appreciating teams successfully implementing the transformation process, Jafar Khalid, Group Chief Technology Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, said, "We are immensely proud to have guided PTCL Group on its operational journey, leading the way in this initiative within the region. This journey is set to establish a new standard and drive Pakistan's telecommunications sector towards improved operations and advancement. All our partners have played a significant role in successfully executing this monumental task. Transitioning to these newly transformed systems is essential to enhance the customer experience. Furthermore, he underscored his vision and strategy for migration and the adoption of Cloud technology, marking this project as a pivotal initial stride towards Cloud integration.”

Sharing his thoughts, Saquib Ahmad, Managing Director, SAP Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, said, “Pakistan is rapidly becoming a thriving market for SAP's enterprise and corporate solutions, with the telecommunications sector leading the charge in adopting innovative ERP systems and embracing digital advancements facilitated by the Cloud. During his address to event attendees, he commended the teams for their exceptional work in orchestrating this noteworthy transformation. He further stressed the importance of unlocking the full potential of the system, foreseeing a fundamental shift in daily operations as this new journey begins today.”

Elaborating on the same, Faisal Khaliq, Partner Middle East and Pakistan, IBM, said, “Implementing SAP's RISE with SAP S/4HANA will enable PTCL and Ufone 4G to embrace fresh business models, optimize both internal and external resources, and leverage Artificial Intelligence to make well-informed decisions.” 

The business transformation project enables PTCL & Ufone 4G to offer Cloud services, modernize business processes, and gain better business insights. With SAP S/4HANA and its underlying HANA database, PTCL & Ufone 4G can access data on demand and share it with relevant departments.

Companies adopting SAP’s RISE with SAP S/4HANA can establish their digital footprint and achieve innovation objectives to work with new business models and serve markets at a faster pace. The reduction of duplication of efforts through improved business insight, while ensuring increased transparency, helps organizations gain necessary competitiveness in the information age. 

Islamabad, September 12, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and DynaSys Networks (DynaSys) announced the signing of two Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) at a ceremony held at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) in Rawalpindi.

The signing ceremony was jointly chaired by Aamer Ejaz, Group Vice President, Carrier Services, PTCL & Ufone 4G and Ali Akhtar, Founder and CEO, DynaSys Networks. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations, along with the leadership of NASTP.

The MoU on Internet of Things (IoT) establishes the technical framework for the integration of DynaSys’ IoT platform and end user devices with PTCL’s Cloud and cybersecurity infrastructure as well as wired and wireless transmission networks. This would culminate in a fully assimilated and first of its kind IoT service that would be commercially available to customers across Pakistan. The mission statement on IoT reaffirmed by both organizations is to jointly become Pakistan’s largest IoT service provider with the first to one million active end user subscriptions.

During the ceremony, Aamer Ejaz, Group Vice President Carrier Services, PTCL & Ufone 4G said, “We are excited to establish a partnership with DynaSys to support the IoT and satcom needs of our business partners. PTCL, a market leader in telecom, is proactively playing its role to bridge the digital divide to bring a positive change in the lifestyle of people. Such partnerships will help achieve that objective by providing futuristic, innovative and cost-effective solutions even in the remotest parts of the country. It will contribute significantly towards stirring the business activity and overall economic growth of the country.”

On the occasion, Ali Akhtar, Founder and CEO of DynaSys Networks, said, “The framework that DynaSys and PTCL have formally signed today is a giant leap for materializing IoT in Pakistan. The missing piece of the puzzle so far has been the platform which we have now solved. In the months ahead we will be working hand in glove to materialize Pakistan’s first full-fledged IoT service. On satellite communications, it is natural that the talent of both organizations would gravitate towards each other for a high impact market presence. We’re taking solid steps to dominate this space in Pakistan and to spread out to the broader region.”

The MoU aligns the vast technical and commercial expertise of DynaSys’ satellite communications team with PTCL’s extensive satellite communications infrastructure and rich history of satellite services in Pakistan. Through this alliance, both companies not only endeavor to become Pakistan’s largest satellite communications systems integrators and service providers, but also aim to significantly increase market share across the region. 

Islamabad, August 22, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and ChildLife Foundation have partnered to provide telecom services for the remote telemedicine facility in more than 200 telemedicine satellite and emergency centers across Pakistan.

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G and Dr. Ahson Rabbani CEO, ChildLife Foundation, chaired the ceremony recently held at ChildLife Foundation’s Emergency Center at Civil Hospital, Karachi. Basharat Qureshi, Group VP Enterprise PTCL, Umar Farooqi, Group Director Enterprise PTCL, Syed Ali Hussain, GM Information Technology ChildLife Foundation & Shahzad Zaki, GM Communications ChildLife Foundation, were also present on the occasion, along with other officials.

PTCL is providing ChildLife Foundation with its state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that are equipped with latest technology & managed services.

During the ceremony, Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G said, “We are honored to enter a partnership with ChildLife Foundation to support the children of the country. PTCL, being a national company, is leading the digitalization effort across the country. Through such partnerships, PTCL continues to play its key role in the development of telecom infrastructure by providing innovative and secure solutions to the health sector that will further contribute towards the overall social growth of the country.”

On the occasion, Dr. Ahson Rabbani CEO ChildLife Foundation said, “The partnership with PTCL signifies a significant stride in utilizing technology to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved areas. These Telemedicine Satellite Centers, powered by PTCL's communication solutions, enable remote communities to access expert pediatric consultations, overcoming previous barriers to quality healthcare. ChildLife aims to ensure that geographical limitations do not compromise a child's health. This collaboration highlights the organization's determination to bring about positive change through innovation and accessible healthcare.”

PTCL and ChildLife Foundation place highest level of commitment to provide best-in-class emergency health services to the children across Pakistan. This agreement is part of the growth momentum in the diverse areas of ICT and Security Solutions, which is key to a digital eco-system in Pakistan. 

Islamabad, August 18, 2023:  Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Board of Revenue Balochistan have signed an agreement for provisioning of IaaS Smart Cloud Services at PTCL’s Tier-III Data Center for Land Record Management System (LRMS) and Fiber Optic Connectivity at Facilitation Centers at different districts of the province.

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL and Roshan Ali Sheikh Senior Member, Board of Revenues Balochistan signed the agreement at a special ceremony of “Balochistan E-Stamping Project (Energized by PTCL Smart Cloud) and Revenue Sahooliyat Center Quetta (Board of Revenue Balochistan); recently held at Quetta Club, Quetta Cantt Balochistan,

Bank of Punjab as a collection agent partner and Systems Limited as Technology Partner were also present at the ceremony.

While addressing to the ceremony Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, said “Today is an important day for the people of Balochistan. PTCL is proud to be the important pillar of this digital transformation and Modern technology adaptation by providing Smart Cloud solution in PTCL’s Tier III Data Center facility and fastest Internet and data connectivity through its Fiber Optic network in Gwadar, Quetta and far-flung areas across the province.  He further added that This project will be the largest database of Balochistan. With the support of Balochistan government, this project will be expanded across the province. PTCL Will continue to play role in the development and better of Balochistan.”

Senior Member Board of Revenue, Roshan Ali Sheikh, said, “Inauguration of Balochistan E-Stamping Project and Facility Center Quetta is a historic initiative of government. The launch of e-stamping will be a big success, a substantial boost to revenue. Digital technology will stop tax collection leakages and ease the public. These projects will create transparency, accountability and maximum level of paperless environment. Effective revenue collection from e-stamping will generate 2 billion revenues. Now in just 15 minutes land record will be available with scan code. With the implementation of Land Record Information Management System, the Revenue Department is on the path of development.”

The ceremony was attended by several dignities from different departments and institutions such as Brig. Rafique. Mr. Hamza Shafqat – Secretary Information. Dr. Khalid Hafeez – VC Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences. Syed Zafar Ali Bukhari – Secretary Excise and Taxation Balochistan. Brig. Wajahat. Farid Khan – BOP. Mr. Khalid Saeed – CEO R2V, etc.

PTCL endeavors to provide best-in-class services to its partners across Pakistan. This agreement is part of the growth momentum in the diverse areas of ICT and Security Solutions, which is crucial to a digital transformation and eco-system in Pakistan.

Islamabad – August 17, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunication company, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) in collaboration with the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA), Rawalpindi, carried out a tree plantation campaign at Khajut on Murree Expressway to help promote environmental protection and the country’s resilience against climate change. Senior management, employees, staff and interns actively participated.

Murree is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country that receives massive footfall each year. The afforestation drive will ensure the sustainability of the local environment and natural resources that usually come under pressure due to greater human and vehicular influx. Apart from carbon reduction, the new forest cover will also add to the region's natural splendor.

Speaking at the plantation drive, Nauman Fakhar, Chief Retail Sales Officer, Ufone 4G said, “Environmental protection and resilience against climate change are critically important for Pakistan, which is amongst the top ten countries adversely impacted by climate change. As responsible corporate citizens, it is our duty to help create a world that is safely habitable for our coming generations. We are making progress on our zero emissions commitment and hope to emerge as a green organization in the near future.”

Also sharing his thoughts, Sheikh Tariq Mehmood, Director PHA Rawalpindi said, “It is heartening to witness PTCL Group stepping up to support efforts for a cleaner and greener Pakistan. PHA has been working tirelessly for the beautification of our cities and towns and maintenance of parks, besides widespread afforestation initiatives to help our people breathe clean air and lead happy healthy lives.”

During the drive, PTCL Group and PHA planted indigenous plants having greater survival rates. The drive was conducted under PTCL & Ufone 4G’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that chalks out an elaborate roadmap for the organization to give back to society.

PTCL and Ufone 4G have successfully conducted dozens of social responsibility programs across the length and breadth of the country to enable and empower underprivileged communities and to plug yawning gaps in the provision of social welfare. The Group continues to make a difference where it matters the most.

Islamabad – August 8, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has completed fiberization of the famous and picturesque tourist destination, Nathiagali to provide high-speed connectivity and quality user experience in the region. The blazing fast internet will support social empowerment and growth of the local tourism industry. 

The network overhaul is being carried out under PTCL’s Copper Sunset project, which encompasses the replacement of copper wires with the cutting-edge PTCL Flash Fiber network, which will be the fastest internet in town giving customers blazing speeds of up to 1Gbps with unlimited downloads. A lively cake cutting ceremony was held in Nathiagali to mark the dawn of high-speed connectivity in the region. Vice President, Business Zone North, PTCL, Nauman Durrani participated in the ceremony, along with the company’s top management, employees, and customers. 

Commenting on the development, Vice President, Business Zone North, PTCL, Nauman Durrani said, “We are thrilled to inaugurate our fiberization project in Nathiagali. PTCL Flash Fiber 400K customer journey for 2023 aims to provide its valued customers with an exceptional high-speed internet experience through its Fiber-based network. As part of this commitment, PTCL has completely upgraded its previous copper-based network in Nathiagali. This transformational endeavor aims to open windows of opportunity to strengthen the local economy and support social progress.”

 Being the national telecommunication carrier, PTCL is committed to transforming the user experience through high-quality telecom services. With the company’s ambitious expansion plans, a speedy fiber-based connectivity will be accessible nationwide sooner than expected. 

Islamabad – August 04, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications operator, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced the addition of 50 High Definition (HD) TV channels on its Smart TV, which will be exclusively accessible to PTCL Flash Fiber users. The initiative brings the number of HD channels on PTCL Smart TV to 60, and the overall channel count to 200, which encompass a wide range of genres including, religious, news, Kids, sports, movies, infotainment, music and more, so that every family member has access to choose and age-appropriate content to spend their free time in a quality manner.   

The step aims at delivering a premium viewing experience to the users of PTCL’s top-quality Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) service across the country.    

The HD channels are accessible to Flash Fiber users alone as the FTTH’s lightning-fast speeds and capacious bandwidth not only support the service but also bring a uniquely immersive viewing experience. With Flash Fiber aggressively expanding its network nationwide, the high-quality viewing experience and benefits of high-speed connectivity will be accessible to more and more users in the future.

PTCL is committed to providing Pakistani users access to quality entertainment. In addition to PTCL Smart TV, the company operates a premium OTT platform SHOQ that provides users access to news and entertainment content from top national and international channels and movie studios. All Pakistani data users, regardless of their network, can use SHOQ to access high-quality news and entertainment content on any internet-enabled device.

Islamabad, August 02, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunication and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) has achieved a momentous milestone in organizational culture by introducing 6 months of Maternity and 30 days of Paternity leaves for its employees. The policy guidelines provide ample time for new mothers and fathers to bond and care for their newborns through availing fully paid maternity and paternity leaves, respectively. To make it more flexible and convenient, paternity leaves can be availed on a staggered basis during the first year of childbirth.

The policy changes reflect the ongoing cultural transformation at PTCL Group that aims to promote employee well-being and help its team members support a healthier work-life balance. PTCL Group is committed to transforming its policies and has introduced multiple initiatives to foster inclusion and support the physical and mental health and well-being of its employees.

Commenting on policy guidelines, Group Chief People Officer, Shoaib Baig said, “We’re thrilled to introduce changes to our Maternity and Paternity policy guidelines, aligning them with the leading employers in Pakistan. Our cultural transformation journey, ‘#TayyarHo’ thrives beyond the workplace, embracing every aspect of life. Being an inclusive organization, we cater a range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies, guidelines and benefits thoughtfully designed for our employees which enable them to give their best to the organization while managing other integral priorities in life. This is a testament to our commitment to becoming an employer of choice.”

The new Maternity and Paternity Leaves underscore PTCL Group's dedication to creating a supportive work environment and fostering a more resilient workforce.

Islamabad, July 26, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the leading ICT services provider in Pakistan, has announced the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in its Customer Care operations as a vital part of its digital transformation strategy.

The aim is to improve overall customer experience across all touch points. The initiative will help PTCL firmly align with the highest global standards in digitalization and automation, reinforcing its position as the industry leader.

Commenting on the initiative, Ahmad Kamal, Group Chief Customer Care Officer at PTCL & Ufone 4G, stated: “We are delighted to announce the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the customer journey. This cutting-edge technology empowers us to deliver the best customer experience by automating a wide range of activities, including data transfers, customer profile updates, data entry, inventory management, and even complex tasks, all with a remarkable accuracy rate of 100%. The latest initiative positions us to enhance our capacity and efficiency, ultimately delivering an unparalleled experience to our customers."

The implementation of RPA is a clear testament to PTCL's unwavering commitment to make digital innovations and contributing to Digital Pakistan by delivering an unparalleled user experience to its valued customers.

Islamabad, July 19, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the leading telecom and ICT services provider in the country, has announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The announcement was made during the Board of Directors' meeting held in Islamabad on July 19, 2023.

Throughout the first half of 2023, PTCL Group has sustained its momentum, further solidifying its position as the leading integrated telecom service provider in Pakistan. Despite the prevailing challenging macroeconomic conditions, the Group has achieved a remarkable 26.8% revenue growth compared to the same period of last year. This substantial increase in revenue is primarily attributed to the exceptional performance across multiple segments, including fixed broadband, mobile data, business solutions and banking services.

The business landscape in 2023 continues to be influenced by the adverse impact of macroeconomic challenges that arose in 2022. The escalating energy and fuel tariffs present ongoing obstacles for telecom operators, making it difficult to deliver high-quality services to consumers at affordable prices. Delays in LC opening have affected the operators' network expansion plans. Significant devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee in the first quarter, coupled with rising interest rates and additional super tax over and above regular corporate tax, has greatly impacted the profitability. To mitigate the effects of these challenging issues, policy intervention by the Government is required to provide much needed relief to the sector.

PTCL Group Highlights

• PTCL Group’s revenue of Rs 90.9 billion in 2023 is 26.8% higher as compared to the same period of last year.
• The Group’s profitability was, among other factors, particularly affected by significant Rupee devaluation in the first quarter as the Group has unhedged FOREX liabilities. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 8.5 billion.
• PTCL continued its growth by posting 17.3% YoY revenue growth.
• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 22.4% YoY as compared to the same period of last year.
• U Bank has achieved a 96.5% growth in its revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Highlights

• PTCL’s revenue of Rs 46.9 billion for the period is 17.3% higher than 2022, mainly driven by growth in Carrier & Wholesale and Broadband segments.
• The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 2.9 billion with an impressive 57% growth over last year and a net profit of Rs 6.9 billion. Increase in non-operating income due to translation gain on the Company’s forex denominated receivables and gain on disposal of obsolete assets due to upgrade and fiberization of the network, played a significant role in achieving 34.5% increase in the net profit as compared to same period of last year.

PTCL Consumer Business: Steady Performance

PTCL achieved 17.2% revenue growth over the same period last year in the fixed broadband business. The Company further strengthened its flag ship FTTH brand, ‘Flash Fiber’ by achieving significant net subscriber additions through exceptional customer experiences and aggressive expansion of fiber network across the country which played a vital role in achieving significant increase in FTTH revenue by 106.5%. IPTV segment also showed a 5.8% revenue growth YoY. Voice and wireless revenue streams continue the declining trajectory as they are impacted by OTT services and tough competition from cellular operators.

PTCL Business Services:

Business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP bandwidth, cloud, data center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s enterprise business grew by 21.1% as compared to last year, while carrier and wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 34.9% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 18.6% as compared to last year. Despite the current challenging economic environment, overall Business Solutions revenue has shown a remarkable 27.4% year-on-year growth.

As the national telecom carrier and connectivity backbone in Pakistan, PTCL Group is committed to deliver innovative solutions that drive the growth of a 'Digital Pakistan'. This is achieved through the establishment of robust telecommunication infrastructure and a wide range of services, all aimed at enhancing the customer experience and accelerating progress in the country. PTCL collaborated with Vodafone to bring industry leading IoT products, services and solutions to the Pakistani market. The partnership will allow to develop and deliver a full suite of end-to-end IoT services aimed towards accelerating enterprise digital enablement and improving adoption of connected services in the Pakistani society.

PTML – Ufone Highlights:

Continuing its growth trajectory, Ufone recorded an impressive 22.4% YoY increase in its revenue and has achieved 24.5 million subscribers base. Network modernization activities, carried out in the first six months of 2023, resulted in better customer experience for Ufone subscribers. Ufone introduced best value Data Roaming Offer for its prepaid customers, who embarked on the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Ufone is upgrading its IR services by launching various LTE products with our roaming partners in all major destinations. The company also upgraded its digital wallet ‘UPaisa’ to provide a high-quality user journey by introducing a QR Code Scan feature on its digital app to bring unprecedented convenience to its users and simplify financial transactions.

U Bank Highlights:

Despite an extremely tough macroeconomic environment, U Bank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved a remarkable 96.5% growth in revenue and an impressive 27.9% growth in net profit over the corresponding period of last year, while maintaining a strong balance sheet position. The bank stands resolute in its commitment towards financial and social inclusion, utilizing its extensive outreach to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele across the length and breadth of the country through its rural retail banking, corporate finance & investment banking, Islamic banking, urban retail banking, corporate banking, and digital banking canvases.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

During the first six months of 2023, PTCL Group undertook various CSR initiatives to strengthen its position as a national carrier. Amongst these initiatives, a massive blood donation campaign was held in Islamabad in connection with ‘World Blood Donor Day’. The initiative stems from PTCL Group’s continuous commitment to create shared value and giving back to society. In addition, Ufone embarked on a shared initiative with the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in Pakistan to raise awareness amongst the citizens regarding the importance of polio eradication through vaccination. PTCL Group endeavors to be a shining example of unwavering determination and bring a positive change in the lives of the people of Pakistan.

Islamabad – July 07, 2023: Pakistan’s leading telecommunications and integrated digital services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) has launched its highly anticipated ‘SummerSpark’ internship program at a vibrant opening ceremony held at PTCL Group Tower in Islamabad.

The 6-week internship program, 'SummerSpark' received an overwhelming response upon opening the registration process, with over 15,475 young graduates from top universities eagerly vying for a spot. After a rigorous selection process, the top 30 candidates with exceptional competencies and potential were selected to participate in the program. These future leaders will enjoy valuable hands-on work experience on various business projects under expert mentorship at PTCL & Ufone 4G offices in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi that will facilitate them to set the stage for the successful commencement of their professional careers ahead.

Sharing his thoughts at the opening ceremony, Group Chief People Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Shoaib Baig said, “We are thrilled to launch the 'SummerSpark Internship Program 2023, which is designed to ignite the careers of Pakistan's highly talented graduates. The internship program aligns with sustainable practices by investing in the long-term growth and success of individuals in the telecom sector. We provide a diverse and enabling environment for the youth to develop and showcase their talent and focus on promoting experiential learning and equip interns with practical skills and knowledge that will pave the way for their future success.”

The 'SummerSpark’ goes beyond traditional mentorship as it helps the participants to fully immerse in the corporate culture, besides learning essential work ethics and functionality. The unique approach enables interns to put their academic knowledge into practice and gain a comprehensive understanding of the organizational ecosystem. Moreover, the program provides a rich summer club experience, enriching the interns' vacation with engaging activities and projects to enhance their learning experiences.

PTCL Group is committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in the telecommunications industry to drive its growth and sustainability. 'SummerSpark’ exemplifies PTCL & Ufone 4G’s long-term commitment by offering an exceptional platform for young talent to kickstart their careers and make a meaningful impact in the field.

July 7, 2023:  Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Sindh Bank have signed an agreement for deployment of SD-WAN at 200 branches of Sindh Bank.

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G and Syed Ata Hussain Jaffri, EVP Head of IT, Sindh Bank, signed the agreement at a ceremony recently held at Sindh Bank Head Office in Karachi. The ceremony was witnessed by Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO PTCL, Imran Samad President & CEO Sindh Bank and their teams.

PTCL is providing Sindh Bank with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and platform solutions that are equipped with latest technology & managed security.

Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, expressed his satisfaction during the signing ceremony regarding the agreement with Sindh Bank, emphasizing PTCL Group’s commitment to assisting the bank in meeting its digital connectivity requirements. As a national carrier, PTCL is at the forefront of driving digitalization throughout the nation. By forging such alliances, PTCL remains dedicated to its pivotal role in advancing both telecommunications infrastructure and delivering cutting-edge, reliable solutions to the banking industry. These endeavors are poised to foster the overall economic growth of the country.”

Imran Samad, President & CEO of Sindh Bank, stated, "We are pleased to partner with PTCL for infrastructure platform solutions, as we focus on adopting state-of-the-art and secure technology for connectivity and digitalization. As Sindh Bank aims to achieve an enhanced operating leverage, this transformative partnership will not only enhance our operations, but also improve security and time-to-market for products and services, offering a digitally enabled financial setup for our customers and partners."

PTCL and Sindh Bank place highest level of commitment to provide best-in-class services to their customers across various industries in Pakistan. This agreement is part of the growth momentum in the diverse areas of ICT and Security Solutions, which is key to a digital banking eco-system in Pakistan.

Islamabad, July 5, 2023:  Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and National Bank of Pakistan Limited (NBP) have signed an agreement for provisioning of primary Data Center colocation services at PTCL’s Tier-III Data Center facility.

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G and Amin Manji, Group Chief ITG & CTO National Bank of Pakistan, signed the agreement at a signing ceremony recently held at PTCL Zonal office in Karachi. Jafar Khalid, Group Chief Technology Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Noman Muzaffar, EVP Divisional Head ITG National Bank of Pakistan, Basharat Qureshi, Group VP Enterprise PTCL, Umer Ilyas, Group VP Data Centers PTCL, Umar Farooqi, Group Director Enterprise PTCL, were also present on the occasion, along with other senior officials.

PTCL is providing National Bank of Pakistan with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and platform solutions that are equipped with latest technology & managed security.

During the signing ceremony, Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, said, “We are pleased to enter into a partnership with National Bank of Pakistan to support them in their digital transformation vision. As the national carrier of Pakistan, PTCL aspires to be at the forefront of assisting state owned institutions in their efforts to adopt cutting edge technology solutions to drive the national digital agenda.”

On the occasion, Amin Manji, Group Chief ITG & CTO National Bank of Pakistan, stated, “We are pleased to sign this agreement with PTCL as our trusted partner for infrastructure platform solutions as part of the Bank’s digital transformation strategy. This partnership signifies a transformative step forward in the Bank’s approach to infrastructure, platforms and data management. By leveraging PTCL's advanced infrastructure and telecommunications expertise, NBP aims to achieve an enhanced operating leverage, a stronger security and data protection posture, and reduced time-to-market of products and services as the Bank continues its journey to offer a digitally enabled financial lifestyle for its customers and partners.”

PTCL endeavors to provide best-in-class services to its corporate customers across various industries in Pakistan. This agreement is part of the growth momentum in the diverse areas of ICT and Security Solutions, which is key to a digital banking eco-system in Pakistan.

Islamabad – June 16, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunication and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) has opened up its brand-new Futsal Arena at PTCL Group Club in Islamabad for its employees. This facility will serve as a hub for promoting physical fitness and fostering a vibrant sporting culture within the organization.

The Futsal Arena was inaugurated by United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Pakistan, His Excellency, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Alzaabi, who was accompanied by the President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Hatem Bamatraf, senior executives, PTCL Group team members and other honorable guests. Following the inauguration, a friendly yet thrilling Futsal match was played between UAE Embassy and PTCL Group teams.

The worthy Ambassador, H.E.  Hamad Alzaabi commended PTCL Group for its unwavering dedication to the welfare of its employees, while President and CEO, PTCL Group, Hatem Bamatraf emphasized the significance of investing in employee health and wellbeing. The initiative aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, further motivating the workforce to accelerate progress on the company’s long-term ambition of fostering sustainability.

Sharing his thoughts regarding the initiative, Group Chief People Officer (GCPO), PTCL & Ufone 4G, Shoaib Baig said, “PTCL Group values its employees' well-being above all. We prioritize their physical and mental health, encouraging team spirit and unity. The Futsal Arena is an extension of PTCL Group’s ‘Vitality Express’ program that focuses on strengthening employee engagement and well-being through sports and other physical activities. With our new Futsal Arena and ongoing efforts, we create an energized workforce dedicated to achieving organizational goals with focus and determination.”

The UAE Ambassador, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, along with GCPO, PTCL & Ufone 4G awarded silver medals to the runner ups and gold medals, along with trophy to the winning team.

Futsal is a fast-paced variant of football played on a smaller field with five players on each side. By engaging in this highly competitive game, the organization aims to promote teamwork, strategic thinking, and an active lifestyle among its workforce. It also aligns with the company’s broader vision of strengthening its standing as the ‘Employer of Choice’ in Pakistan's telecommunication sector.

Islamabad – June 14, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) undertook a massive blood donation campaign at its headquarters in connection with ‘World Blood Donor Day’. The initiative stems from PTCL Group’s sustained commitment to creating shared value and giving back to society.

The blood donation drive has been organized as part of PTCL Group’s CSR strategy, which spanned over two days. Top management, senior executives and employees, along with tenants of PTCL Group Tower came forward to donate blood with full enthusiasm. The Group collaborated with the Fatimid Foundation for this initiative.  

World Blood Donor Day is primarily celebrated to raise awareness regarding the importance of healthy blood and its donation as a gift of life to those in pressing need. PTCL Group stands as one of the key proponents of blood donations in the country that encourages people to come forward and donate blood to save lives.

On the initiative, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL Group, Atif Raza, said, “Realizing the importance of life, we engage in various social corporate responsibility initiatives to generate shared good for our people. Every day, countless lives are at risk due to unfortunate incidents and medical conditions. I believe that a small contribution from our side can create a world of difference for someone who is fighting for life, and our humble initiative aims to create a much larger ripple effect in society.  I am thankful to Fatimid Foundation for collaborating in the cause.”

PTCL and Ufone 4G have a proven track-record of prioritizing social responsibility initiatives for the common good of fellow citizens. The Group uses its prowess in digital technology and connectivity as a lever for promoting socio-economic enablement, apart from reaching out to the most underprivileged segments of society in times of urgent need.

Islamabad – June 3, 2023: Pakistan’s leading telecommunication and integrated ICT services provider, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has been recognized as the ‘Most Facilitating Employer over the Last Five Years’ at the National University of Science and Technology's ‘NUST Placement Recognition Awards 2023’.

Group Chief People Officer (GCPO) PTCL & Ufone 4G, Muhammad Shoaib Baig received the award at a vibrant awards ceremony organized at NUST. This recognition is a testament to PTCL's unwavering commitment to fostering a work culture that provides a growth platform to the future leaders of our country.

PTCL Group encourages strong industry-academia linkages to help align education and training with the evolving industry trends to ensure development of well-trained professional and visionary business leaders in the country. Under multiple, exclusive internship and training programs, PTCL & Ufone not only provide valuable exposure and mentorship to students and fresh graduates but also strengthen the vitality and sustainability of Pakistan’s corporate sector by inducting fresh talent and innovative minds each year. 

Islamabad, April 27, 2023: Pakistan’s largest telecom and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL and Ufone 4G) has launched its first ever Group Anthem #TayyarHo showcasing the employees’ commitment to serve customers with unparalleled excellence.

The PTCL Group's new anthem is more than just a song. PTCL Group embarked on the #TayyarHo journey about a year ago. What is TayyarHo? It is a call to action for the employees to build a comprehensive ecosystem at PTCL Group which will enable the company to deliver extraordinary solutions & experiences for its customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Group Chief People Officer, Muhammad Shoaib Baig said, “This anthem is a dynamic expression of our passion to deliver the best services & experiences to our customers. At the PTCL Group, we turn challenges into our competitive edge, driving Pakistan towards a digitally connected future. I am certain that this anthem will inspire and energize our teams further to give their best shot despite all odds.”

PTCL and Ufone 4G is committed to fostering a workplace that allows employees to express their talent for personal and professional success and fulfilment.

The anthem is available on all PTCL and Ufone 4G social media platforms.

PTCL Group Anthem - Click here

Islamabad, April 18, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the leading provider of telecom and ICT services in the country, has announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The announcement was made during a Board of Directors' meeting held in Islamabad on April 17, 2023.

During the first quarter of 2023, PTCL Group sustained its momentum and strengthened its position as the leading integrated telecom service provider in Pakistan. Despite the ongoing challenging macroeconomic conditions, the Group achieved a 23.2% growth in its revenue compared to the same period of last year. This substantial growth in revenue is primarily attributable to strong performance in the fixed broadband, mobile data, business solutions, and banking services.

The adverse effects of macroeconomic challenges that emerged in the year 2022 continued to affect businesses in 2023 as well. With continuing increase in the energy and fuel tariffs, telecom operators are faced with significant challenges to provide quality services to their consumers at an affordable price point. Pakistan’s balance of payment issues and restrictions imposed by the State Bank of Pakistan on LC opening have impacted the network roll-out timelines of the operators and also resulted in a significant devaluation of PKR against foreign currencies. This deteriorating Rupee-Dollar parity, rising interest rates and additional taxes on telecom operators, over and above the normal corporate tax, have severely affected the profitability. To mitigate the effects of these challenging issues, policy intervention by the Government is required to provide much needed relief to the sector.

PTCL Group Highlights

• PTCL Group’s revenue of Rs 43.2 billion in Q1, 2023 is 23.2% higher as compared to the same period of last year.
• The Group’s profitability was, among other factors, particularly affected by the significant bout of devaluation as the Group has unhedged FOREX liabilities. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 5.7 billion.
• PTCL continued its growth by posting 17.1% YoY revenue growth in Q1, 2023.
• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 20.0% YoY as compared to Q1, 2022.
• U Bank continued its growth momentum and has achieved a 73.0% growth in its quarterly revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Highlights

• PTCL’s revenue of Rs 22.95 billion for the quarter is 17.1% higher than Q1 2022, mainly driven by growth in carrier & wholesale and broadband segments.
• The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 1.5 billion with a 54.7% growth over last year and a net profit of Rs 5.5 billion for the quarter. Increase in non-operating income, due to translation gain on the Company’s forex denominated receivables, dividend income from a subsidiary and gain on disposal of obsolete assets due to upgrade and fiberization of network, played a significant role in achieving 187.2% increase in the company's net profit as compared to same period of last year.

PTCL further strengthened its flag ship FTTH brand, ‘Flash Fiber’, by acquiring the highest net adds in the industry, this was possible through exceptional customer experience and aggressive expansion of fiber network across the country. The rapid rollout of FTTH and strong performance in the carrier & wholesale segments ensured PTCL’s topline growth.

PTCL’s recently launched an OTT streaming platform ‘SHOQ’, that provides premium entertainment, sports, and news content to all data users, is bridging the gap for need of high-quality content at an affordable cost. Moreover, PTCL Group partnered with PUBG Mobile and launched the biggest E-Sports gaming competition through its gaming platform ‘GameKey’. The Group also partnered with DE-CIX to establish Internet Exchange, and Vodafone to introduce end-to-end IoT solutions in Pakistan. PTCL marked International Women's Day 2023 by launching a dedicated voice package, called SheTalks, for its female customers.

PTCL Consumer Business: Steady Performance

The company’s fixed broadband business achieved 17.4% growth in revenue YoY which is primarily attributable to a two-fold increase in Flash Fiber’s revenue and subscribers over comparative quarter. IPTV segment also showed a 6.2% revenue growth YoY. Voice and wireless revenue streams have seen a decline due to continued conversion of customers to OTT services and tough competition from cellular operators.

PTCL Business Services:

Business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP bandwidth, cloud, data center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s enterprise business grew by 12.1% as compared to last year, while carrier and wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 36.9% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 22.7% as compared to last year. Despite the slowdown of economic activity, overall Business Solutions revenue has shown a remarkable growth of 27.2% on year-on-year basis.

Being the national telecom carrier and connectivity backbone in Pakistan, PTCL Group strives to provide innovative solutions to accelerate growth for a ‘Digital Pakistan’ through robust telecommunication infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of services with enhanced customer experience. PTCL collaborated with the Ministry of Federal Education to develop an app called Teleschool Pakistan, which aims to provide free digital learning for students. The launch of this app by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in March attracted widespread attention across Pakistan.

PTML – Ufone Highlights:

Continuing its growth trajectory, Ufone recorded an impressive 20.0% YoY increase in its revenue. Ufone has recently gained a momentous milestone of achieving 24 million subscribers resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in market share. Network modernization activities, carried out in the first quarter of 2023, resulted in better customer experience for Ufone subscribers. With this improved customer experience, growth in engagement acquisition numbers and better data speeds, Ufone has achieved the 2^nd highest customer net adds in the industry during the first quarter. Ufone 4G recently launched a WhatsApp service for a hassle-free customer experience, collaborated with Nestlé Pakistan Limited to establish an advanced customer service solution for Ufone’s BPO operations and partnered with Islamabad United for PSL8.

U Bank Highlights:

Despite an extremely tough macroeconomic environment, U Bank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved a remarkable 73.0% growth in revenue and an impressive 64.5% growth in net profit over the comparative quarter of last year, while maintaining a strong balance sheet position. The bank stands resolute in its commitment towards financial and social inclusion, utilizing its extensive outreach to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele across the length and breadth of the country through its rural retail banking, corporate finance & investment banking, Islamic banking, urban retail banking, corporate banking, and digital banking canvases.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

During the first quarter of 2023, PTCL Group undertook various CSR initiatives to strengthen its position as a national carrier. Amongst these initiatives, Ufone 4G proudly collaborated with ConnectHear to facilitate communication and socialization for the deaf community. The initiative perfectly resonates with Ufone 4G’s brand philosophy of inclusivity, under which we strive to foster equality and shared growth. 

Islamabad – March 20, 2023: Pakistan's largest integrated ICT provider, PTCL Group (PTCL& Ufone 4G) celebrated International Women's Day 2023 at its Islamabad Headquarters. Saadia Khan, Ex-Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) graced the event as a chief guest while prominent Jordanian molecular biologist, Dr. Rana Dajani also joined the event remotely.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘DigitAll Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’, which emphasizes the role of technology in empowering women and promoting gender equality. PTCL Group realizes that bringing women into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. Therefore, it iscommitted to leveraging its technological expertise to create opportunities for women and provide a more inclusive workplace where women can thrive and excel.

The event showcased PTCL Group's commitment to gender equality and women empowerment through its various gender-focused initiatives. Sharing his thoughts, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf said, “As we join the world in commemorating International Women's Day, we reaffirm our steadfastness in embracing equity in all aspects of our organization.  At PTCL Group diversity and inclusion remain the key drivers of innovation, success, and progress across all our operating companies, PTCL, Ufone & Ubank. Therefore we remain dedicated to create a workplace where all our team members regardless of their gender, feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Our D&I-focused initiatives break down gender-related barriers to help women co-workers/team members to concentrate solely on their personal and professional growth and gratification.”

Employees pledged to embrace equity during the event by sharing their pledges on the pledge wall. The event was followed by Hi-Tea hosted by Pink Club, an exclusive all-female club at the organization. Employees also participated in the campaign "The woman in your life," where they enthusiastically shared personal stories about the women who helped shape their lives and guided them to personal and professional success and gratification.

The event also saw the launch of the DIGIHER Hackathon, an initiative to give talented women the opportunity in the technology field to create usable solutions with a specific outcome in mind. This will include analyzing case studies, collecting extensive data, assessing possibilities, and proposing solutions for business-critical technology-related problems. The event concluded with a surprise performance by Nimra Rafiq who has previously released couple of hit singles. The audience thoroughly enjoyed her power packed performance.

International Women’s Day celebrations are an annual affair at PTCL and Ufone 4G which provide the group the opportunity to reaffirm its pledge to diversity and inclusion. The Group remains committed to its goal of creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and promotes equity, to set the right precedent for society.

Islamabad– March 8, 2023:  Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) celebrates International Women’s Day 2023 by introducing an exclusive voice package for its ladies segment, SheTalks package. The package offers unlimited PTCL to PTCL minutes, 150 free mobile minutes to all mobile networks, and a free value-added service (VAS) bundle, all for just Rs. 375 per month.

PTCL has designed the package exclusively for women according to their communication needs and budget constraints. The company is also offering the package for both Broadband and SmartTV customers, ensuring that all of the valued subscribers especially women can benefit from this special offer to join the women’s day celebrations with PTCL.

The package offers convenience, affordability, and flexibility, allowing women to stay connected with their loved ones at all times. With the launch of this exclusive package, PTCL hopes that it will cater to the connectivity needs of women all across Pakistan.

Gender inclusivity and women empowerment are two of the foundational components of PTCL’s organizational philosophy. The company leverages its core business and CSR operations to enable and empower women to foster their socioeconomic integration and growth. The exclusive “SheTalks package” is one of the many initiatives PTCL has launched in connection with International Women’s Day 2023.

To subscribe to the package, PTCL customers can visit the PTCL website or call the customer service helpline. PTCL remains committed to providing innovative and cost-effective solutions that cater to the diverse communication needs of its customers.

Islamabad, March 2, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Vodafone have agreed to cooperate to bring Vodafone’s industry leading IoT products, services and solutions to the Pakistani market. PTCL and Vodafone will collaborate to develop and deliver a full suite of end-to-end IoT services aimed towards accelerating enterprise digital enablement and improving adoption of connected services in the Pakistani society.

Adopting IoT Solutions in a market like Pakistan comes with various advantages, such as enhanced efficiency and productivity with reduced costs. IoT Solutions create new business opportunities through innovation and redefine traditional business operation models towards a digital transformation. Vodafone is a world leader in the Internet of Things, connecting over 155 million devices and platforms.

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone said, “PTCL is the largest ICT services provider having a massive footprint across Pakistan. Being a telecom company, we endeavor to play a pivotal role in driving the digital transformation in the country. We believe that to achieve this goal, strategic collaborations in the IoT segment need to foster as this will create synergies to revolutionize various sectors such as Health, Education, Automotive, Retail, Energy & Utilities, Cities, Agriculture and industries of Pakistan. This will further enable all geographical areas with modern IoT technologies for a better future.”

Giorgio Migliarina, Director of Products and Services, Vodafone Business said: “The collective power of the largest ICT provider in Pakistan with the leading IOT company will allow us to help businesses of all sizes in Pakistan leverage the power of IOT for their digital transformation.”

PTCL being the backbone of connectivity in Pakistan believes in strategic business collaborations to undertake such engagements to adopt and be a part of digital transformation journey. This collaboration will further open new avenues for both Vodafone and PTCL Group in the business field, along with various opportunities for collaborative development.

In connection with its initial investment in Vodafone in May 2022, e& announced its aim at exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Vodafone in the rapidly developing global telecom market and supporting the development and adoption of next-generation technologies.

DE-CIX and PTCL partner to establish Internet Exchange in Pakistan

Frankfurt am Main (Germany)/Islamabad (Pakistan), 8 March 2023. DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the largest integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) company of Pakistan, today signed a strategic partnership to establish an Internet Exchange (IX) in Pakistan. The IX will be housed as a redundant setup in the data centers of PTCL. As a world-class interconnection platform in the populous South Asian country, it will be operated by DE-CIX under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model, and built on DE-CIX’s award-winning interconnection infrastructure, including the full set of peering, cloud connectivity, and other interconnection services. Technical implementation is planned in 2023. The interconnection platform is set to serve as a hub for regional connectivity, enabling local networks low-latency interconnection and localization of global content, while increasing network stability, scalability, and security.

“With a population of over 200 million people and Internet usage growing incredibly fast, Pakistan needs local interconnection, and its Internet connectivity will be strongly enhanced through this partnership. We want to serve the great demand for increasing the speed, quality, and stability of Internet connectivity to guarantee the best experience possible for end users and businesses in the market,” commented Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, after the signing ceremony at the telecoms event Capacity Middle East. “This will also attract more national and international Internet and cloud service providers to do business there and grow a vibrant local digital ecosystem, to offer the people in Pakistan the best access to local and international information, content, and services,” Ivanov continued.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with DE-CIX to bring this state-of-the-art interconnection facility to Pakistan,” said Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL & Ufone. “As the largest integrated ICT company in Pakistan, we are committed to advancing the country’s digital infrastructure to support widespread digitalization, and this collaboration is a significant step forward in achieving that goal. Our nationwide network and DE-CIX’s interconnection infrastructure will serve as a foundation to enhance Internet experience of our customers while facilitating the local hosting of content by international platforms. We believe this partnership will not only drive digital enablement across the country but also help accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.” 

The IX in Pakistan becomes the 13^th DE-CIX Internet Exchange announced under the DaaS model, joining such success stories as the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX in Dubai, whose growth and success over the last decade has led to it being recognized as an international Internet hub. The DaaS program includes a set of services – such as installation, maintenance, provisioning, marketing, and sales support – designed for digital infrastructure operators to create their own IX and interconnection platform, fully operated by DE-CIX. DE-CIX delivers the technical set-up needed for an Internet Exchange as a fully pre-configured and standardized “DE-CIX in a box” solution – easy to plug and play. 

About DE-CIX 

DE-CIX (German Commercial Internet Exchange) is the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges (IXs). DE-CIX offers its interconnection services in more than 40 metro-markets in Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Accessible from data centers in over 600 cities world-wide, DE-CIX interconnects thousands of network operators (carriers), Internet service providers (ISPs), content providers and enterprise networks from more than 100 countries, and offers peering, cloud, and interconnection services. DE-CIX in Frankfurt, Germany, is one of the largest Internet Exchanges in the world, with a data volume of almost 34 Exabytes per year (as of 2022) and close to 1100 connected networks. More than 200 colleagues from over 30 different nations form the foundation of the DE-CIX success story in Germany and around the world. Since the beginning of the commercial Internet, DE-CIX has had a decisive influence – in a range of leading global bodies, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) – on co-defining guiding principles for the Internet of the present and the future. As the operator of critical IT infrastructure, DE-CIX bears a great responsibility for the seamless, fast, and secure data exchange between people, enterprises, and organizations at its locations around the globe.

Further information at www.de-cix.net. 

About PTCL: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is the largest integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) Company of Pakistan. With a humble start from a telephone and telegraph department in 1947, it has evolved to offer latest digital and telecommunication technologies today. These technology aim to digitalize different business operations of Pakistan, including education, healthcare, and the government. For more information, visit www.ptcl.com.pk 

Islamabad, February 15, 2023: PTCL Group, Pakistan’s leading telecom and ICT services provider has achieved a double-digit revenue growth of 10.2% during the financial year 2022. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), posted 8.6% growth in its revenues, owing to its strong performance in both retail and business segments, whereas Ufone achieved 7.1% growth in its revenues. The Group’s subsidiary, U Microfinance Bank, kept a strong momentum and posted 35.4% revenue growth during 2022.   

The company announced its annual financial results for the year 2022 at its Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad.

Major Highlights of Financial Performance

PTCL Group

• PTCL Group’s revenue has increased by 10.2% YoY to Rs 151.6 billion, mainly driven by strong performance in the consumer segment led by fixed broadband, mobile data, and wholesale & business solutions, along with microfinance services.

• The Group’s profitability remained under pressure due to significant hike in power and fuel tariffs, devaluation of the Pak Rupee against USD, higher interest rates, and other costs associated with the acquisition of 4G spectrum and related network rollout. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 7.8 billion.

PTCL

• PTCL continued its strong performance throughout 2022. PTCL’s revenue of Rs 83.4 billion for the year 2022, highest ever in its history, is 8.6% higher than 2021, mainly driven by growth in broadband and wholesale & business solutions segments.

• Flash Fiber, PTCL’s premium Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) service, showed tremendous growth with highest Net adds within FTTH market in 2022.
• The company has posted operating profit of Rs 4.9 billion, which is 17% higher as compared to 2021.
• Net profit of Rs 9 billion, highest since 2013, is 31.7% higher as compared to last year.

PTCL continued to upgrade its existing infrastructure and network, besides expanding its premium FTTH internet Flash Fiber across the country to offer seamless connectivity for greater customer experience. Prompt deployment of FTTH and strong performance in Corporate and Wholesale segments are the cornerstone in PTCL’s topline growth, which along with focus on cost optimization program, has significantly increased the company’s profitability.

PTCL Consumer Business:

PTCL fixed broadband business has shown 12.2% YoY growth propelled by the aggressive FTTH expansion. Flash Fiber showed unprecedented growth of 102.7%, taking lion’s share of the market’s net adds, whereas PTCL IPTV segment also grew by 8.1% YoY. Voice and wireless broadband segments witnessed decline due to conversion of customers to OTT services and competition from cellular operators.  

PTCL has recently launched Pakistan’s largest OTT Streaming platform ‘SHOQ’ to provide premium entertainment, sports, and news content to all data users. As internet penetration has increased manifolds during the last few years, Pakistan needed a high-quality local OTT service that offers affordable entertainment.

Business Services:

Business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP Bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s Enterprise business grew by 18.8% as compared to last year, while Carrier and Wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 11% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 8.5% as compared to last year. Overall Business Solutions revenue has grown by 12.5% on year-on-year basis.

Being the national telecom carrier and connectivity backbone in Pakistan, PTCL Group strives to provide innovative solutions to accelerate growth for a ‘Digital Pakistan’ through robust telecommunication infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of services with enhanced customer experience.

PTML – Ufone:

• In the year 2022, Ufone has recorded positive Net Adds with 3.9% YoY growth in subscriber base and has gained market share within the industry.
• Since the acquisition of spectrum, Ufone has grown from strength to strength registering 7.1% YoY revenue growth in 2022 despite the challenges of increase in Advance Income Tax (AIT) and reduction in Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) and recent floods in the country.
• This growth has been achieved through investment in network, aggressive product offering focusing on data and regional play.
• Year 2022 was marked with a prime focus on data portfolio enrichment. An array of new offerings was launched targeting data-savvy younger segment resulting in more than 40% growth in data revenue.

Owing to its infrastructure modernization and fast deployment of 4G services across the country, the company has set a higher bar in voice and data service quality. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in its nationwide service quality benchmarking during 2022, declared Ufone the No. 01 voice and data network.

Ufone 4G has officially partnered with Islamabad United, the most successful franchise in HBL PSL history and the winner of the first and third editions of the tournament. The company will be the official telecommunications partner for the franchise for PSL 8.

During the second quarter, VIS Credit Rating Company has assigned initial entity ratings of ‘AA-/A-1’ (Double A Minus/A-One) to Ufone with outlook on the assigned ratings as ‘Stable’. This acknowledges the financial strength of Ufone through an independent rating exercise which also denotes high credit quality and good fundamental protection factors and is a testimony of stakeholders’ confidence in Ufone.

U Bank

U Bank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and achieved 35.4% growth in its revenue over last year by deepening its advances and investment portfolio, despite the challenging macro-economic situation, further exacerbated by the recent flood. The balance sheet footing of the bank reached Rs 221 billion as the bank continued to diversify its asset classes and funding streams while ensuring positive bottom-line impact. As the six business canvases of the bank, namely: Rural Retail Banking, Corporate Finance & Investment Banking, Islamic Banking, Urban Retail Banking, Corporate Banking and Digital Banking take their distinct forms and structures, the Bank is working towards becoming a Retail Challenger Bank aiming to extend banking services in accordance with the unique needs of its diverse and heterogenous clientele. With the core mission of microfinance at its heart, the business model of the bank is evolving to capture new segments and customer classes to include more of Pakistan into the banking net and further its ambition of financial and social inclusion.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

PTCL Group was at the forefront of relief activities in the wake of one of the most devastating floods in the country. PTCL and Ufone announced free calls to aid rescue services and opened the doors of their medical centers across the country for treatment of sick and injured flood affectees. In addition to the donation made to PM’s Flood Relief Fund, PTCL Group worked with Akhuwat Foundation and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to provide clean and safe drinking water and food to affected communities in Sindh and Balochistan. To further support the flood affectees, PTCL Group also donated winter jackets to the impacted communities in areas of Quetta, Pishin and Killa Saifullah.

During 2022, PTCL ran the third cohort of its flagship internship program ‘Justuju’ for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in collaboration with ‘Network of Organizations Working with Persons with Disabilities, Pakistan’ (NOWPDP) and DeafTawk. Ufone also donated ‘Blaze’ devices to the participants of the KP Women Civic Internship program. Furthermore, PTCL Group in tandem with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) initiated a women empowerment program to promote financial inclusion of women in KP.

PTCL and Ufone provided life jackets to the fishermen communities in Karachi to ensure their safety out in the sea. Ufone also provided food stalls and carts to the local people in Murree to help them earn a livelihood. The Group undertook a series of activities on and off the premises to raise awareness regarding early detection and treatment of breast cancer and our efforts were recognized by the first lady Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi. Moreover, PTCL volunteer force carried out its annual tree plantation drive to contribute to environmental sustainability in the country.

PTCL also provided free calls services to families of Pakistanis stranded in and around Ukraine in the wake of Russian Ukraine conflict.

PTCL Group is playing a key role in supporting Universal Service Fund’s (USF) efforts for the development of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas of the country. PTCL signed an agreement for deployment of optic fiber cable in interior Sindh, including Dadu, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and Larkana. During the year, the Group completed network deployment in the far-flung areas of Lasbela, Panjgur, Kech, Qilla Saifullah, Mastung, Bolan and Gawadar.

Lahore – February 13, 2023: Team AGONxi8 Esports has been crowned the ultimate PUBG MOBILE champion of Pakistan after the squad carried the day at the grand finale of PTCL Group’s largest E-Sports gaming tournament ‘GameKey Arena’ at Nishtar Park Sports Complex, Lahore.

Sixteen top PUBG MOBILE squads battled it out to decide the champion in the ultimate showdown, spanning 15 maps. AGONxI8 was the last squad standing, with 3X ESPORTS and 52 ESPORTS taking the second and third spots respectively. 3X Miracle clinched the top fragger spot with 38 kills while AG18 FALAK and 52 XHASSAN seized second and third places with 37 and 28 kills respectively.

Over 700 PUBG MOBILE squads participated in the online qualifiers of the tournament which was played on PTCL Group’s newly launched E-Sports gaming platform GameKey, which provides single window access to all popular online gaming labels to all data users in Pakistan.

PTCL Group awarded a prize pool of PKR 3,000,000 to the winning and runner-up squads at the prize distribution ceremony preceding an enthralling musical concert by popular Pakistani singer, Shamoon Ismail. The champion team was awarded PKR 1,200,000 while the two runner-ups received PKR 550,000 and PKR 300,000 respectively.

The top fragger 3X Miracle received a cash prize of PKR 50 thousand while the two runner ups received PKR 30 thousand and PKR 20 thousand for their matchless exploits in the tournament.

Sharing his thoughts at the event, Amir Pasha, Group Director Public Relations, CSR, Corporate Communication and Media,  PTCL Group said, “Pakistan has immense untapped potential in E-Sports. PTCL and Ufone 4G intend to tap into this unexplored talent in order to enrich the fledgling gaming culture in the country. GameKey Arena tournament, which was played on our newly launched E-Sports gaming platform GameKey, provides a conducive platform for young and experienced players to explore and groom their talents and use the opportunity to test their skills against the best in the game to be able to grow and succeed as professional gamers.”

GameKey Arena was the inaugural tournament on GameKey platform, however, PTCL and Ufone 4G intend to transform it into a calendar event, making it an annual gaming festival for gaming enthusiasts from across the country.

The GameKey Arena tournament received an overwhelmingly positive response. Pakistan’s gaming community appreciated PTCL Group for organizing one of the largest E-Sports tournaments in the country to support Pakistani gamers. Hundreds of thousands of gaming enthusiasts, especially PUBG MOBILE fans caught the action live as important matches were live streamed through Ufone 4G’s social media channels.

Karachi – February 1, 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), a subsidiary of e&, (formerly known as Etisalat Group) has launched its new Over-The-Top (OTT) platform, SHOQ, to provide a superior and immersive viewing experience to all data users in Pakistan. SHOQ hosts a rich repository of selected content that is accessible to all, in line with PTCL's vision of empowering digital transformation for all.

The new platform was launched at a special event in Karachi, which was attended by President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf, CEO, e& life, Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO evision, Olivier Bramly; CEO and Co-founder, STARZPLAY, Maaz Sheikh, senior PTCL & Ufone officials, industry leaders, showbiz celebrities, media representatives, and prominent personalities from different backgrounds.

SHOQ is bridging the gap in access to high quality content in Pakistan at affordable prices through its collaboration with evision, the media and entertainment division of e& life (part of e&). The partnership will provide PTCL and other data customers with access to media and entertainment content, blockbuster movies and seasons from major Hollywood studios such as Warner Bros, Paramount, 20th Century FOX, among others. SHOQ will also host one hundred most watched local and international live TV channels, Pakistani movies and originals to cater to the entertainment needs of the entire family.

Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, said, "We are delighted to introduce Pakistan's largest OTT platform to provide premium entertainment and news content to all data users. With the increasing penetration of the internet, Pakistan needed a high-quality local OTT service, offering affordable entertainment that is tailored to local tastes and preferences. SHOQ has what it takes to be the country's ultimate entertainment solution."

"We are pleased to support the development of Pakistan's largest OTT platform, powered by PTCL." Speaking at the panel, e& life CEO Khalifa Al Shamsi said. "We are confident that this new service will add great value to the people of Pakistan. e& will continue to support the PTCL Group, especially in its new chapter of creating a digital future that empowers every person in society to create innovative digital services and tap into new customer segments, building success upon success."

Olivier Bramly, CEO of evision, said, "We are delighted to be part of the new chapter in Pakistan's entertainment revolution. evision is the largest media and content aggregator in the MENA region, where we have always been an integral part of our customers' lives. We look forward to working with PTCL, especially in a market as large as Pakistan, where there is an explosion in mass content creation and streaming services, bringing unlimited opportunities to everyone."

"We are grateful to PTCL for giving us the opportunity to strengthen our presence and impact in Pakistan. STARZPLAY CEO and Co-founder, STARZPLAY, Maaz Sheikh said during the launch event. " STARZPLAY is a leading subscription video-on-demand service that streams thousands of hit movies, TV shows and other Pakistani and international content. Through PTCL SHOQ, our service will be accessible to all Pakistanis looking to indulge in streaming quality media or entertainment."

SHOQ is a subscription-based streaming app that works on the BYOD model (Bring Your Own Device) and PTCL-provided TV dongles. Users can enjoy the multi-screen services from any place, anytime as long as they have internet access and a digital device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, Android Smart TVs Android TV Boxes, etc. SHOQ allows registration of up to 5 devices with 2 concurrent sessions at a time. The platform will continue to expand based on user activity and viewer engagement in order to cater to the evolving media and entertainment requirements of its customers.

SHOQ is available for all Pakistani data users at affordable daily, weekly, and monthly with two variants that are Lite & Premium and the packages have prices as low as Rs. 8 per day. Data users can visit www.shoq.com.pk and subscribe to the service. They can also download the SHOQ App from Google Play and Apple Store for the highest quality and seamless streaming experience.