Warid Mobile Service Up For Sale In Pakistan

Warid Telecom the mobile operator in Pakistan is on for sale. Abu Dhabi owner of Warid Telecom is ready to sell out the mobile service and China Mobile (Zong) and Etisalat (PTCL co-owner) has shown interest in buying Warid Telecom, according to media reports.

According to reports Warid company is ready to sell out all 100-per cent of shares of Warid Telecom whereas Warid owners are also interested in selling a smaller controlling stake. In 2007 Warid sold its 30% stake Singapore Telecommunication company SingTel. However in January 2013 it bought back 30% stakes from Singtel of Singapore.

Warid was launched in 2005 in Pakistan and it has 12.54 million mobile subscribers at the end of March, 2013. In 2010-11 Warid had 17.39 million subscribers. Now Warid is the smallest mobile operator in Pakistan in terms of mobile subscriber.

Pakistan’s mobile subscriber has rose by 12.2% to 122.1 million from 2010-11 to March, 2013 which means Warid’s market share fell from 16% to 10.3%.