In a historic move set to redefine Pakistan’s digital infrastructure landscape, Engro Connect has acquired all 10,500 telecom towers previously owned and managed by Jazz, the country’s largest mobile operator. Valued at $560 million, the transaction marks the first full-scale divestment of tower assets by a telecom operator in Pakistan and stands among the largest private-sector infrastructure deals in the country’s digital transformation journey.
Following regulatory approvals from key bodies, including the Competition Commission of Pakistan, and resolution of all legal proceedings in the Islamabad High Court, the deal has now been finalized. Engro Connect, a subsidiary of Engro Corporation, has officially taken ownership of Deodar, Jazz’s cell-site tower management subsidiary.
Despite the divestment, Jazz will continue to utilize the tower network, paying rent to Engro Connect for the sites hosting its telecom infrastructure. This asset-light approach is a strategic pivot for Jazz as it sharpens focus on its expanding digital services portfolio.
“As we pivot to a digital-first future, this milestone enables us to remain asset-light while doubling down on what we do best — delivering impactful, tech-driven solutions for Pakistan’s evolving needs,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz. He further added that Jazz would continue evolving into a full-fledged digital services provider, spanning fintech, cloud, entertainment, and digital health solutions.
The deal aligns with the global trend of telecom operators transferring infrastructure responsibilities to independent tower companies, or towercos, which are better equipped to manage large-scale infrastructure, power systems, security, and multi-tenant operations. Towercos also allow for greater efficiency by hosting ‘cells’ for multiple telecom providers on a single tower, promoting shared infrastructure and reducing environmental and operational overhead.
Engro Connect’s acquisition of Jazz towers complements its position alongside other major tower operators in Pakistan, such as Engro Enfrashare, Edotco, and the recently launched Saudi-backed TAWAL Pakistan. While Jazz previously used around 14,500 towers, the remaining 4,000 were operated by these other towercos. With around 50,000 telecom towers currently in Pakistan, the growing popularity of towercos is expected to drive further consolidation and expansion, especially into regions still underserved by telecom infrastructure.
A senior IT Ministry official noted that tower consolidation would likely occur in urban areas, while rural and remote regions would see a rise in tower installations as connectivity expands. However, further transactions from other telecom operators like Telenor and Ufone are not expected in the immediate future due to their ongoing merger review by the CCP.
Telecom towers are also becoming central hubs for Pakistan’s fiber optic network expansion, with internet service providers and fiber companies increasingly leasing space on towers to extend broadband access. This shift underscores the evolving role of tower infrastructure in powering not only mobile connectivity but also the broader digital ecosystem.
The acquisition solidifies Engro Connect’s leadership in Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure sector and paves the way for a more agile, efficient, and collaborative future in digital connectivity.
