Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, has successfully completed a major infrastructure transaction with Engro Corporation Limited, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s digital development. The strategic partnership involves the transfer of Jazz’s telecommunications infrastructure assets, previously housed under Deodar (Private) Limited, into Engro Connect, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engro Corp. With this deal finalized, Jazz will now lease back Deodar’s robust infrastructure network under a long-term agreement, enabling the company to maintain its nationwide delivery of mobile voice and data services.
The completion of this deal follows regulatory approvals from key institutions, including PTA, Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), and Islamabad High Court. First announced on December 5, 2024, the agreement has now been formalized, establishing one of the largest private-sector infrastructure transactions in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. It signifies a major strategic shift for Jazz as it moves toward an asset-light model while focusing on its core strength of delivering innovative digital solutions tailored to Pakistan’s evolving needs.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, stated that this milestone aligns with Jazz’s broader vision to become a digital-first company. He noted that the agreement enhances operational efficiency while allowing the company to concentrate on expanding services in fintech, cloud computing, entertainment, and digital health. Emphasizing the importance of this transformation, Ibrahim acknowledged the timely support of the Government of Pakistan and regulatory bodies in facilitating the successful completion of the transaction.
By transitioning Deodar’s assets into Engro Connect, Jazz and Engro have initiated a long-term collaboration built on mutual goals of infrastructure modernization and national digital enablement. Engro, with its strong footprint in diverse sectors including energy, food, and petrochemicals, is extending its capabilities into the digital infrastructure domain through this investment. This move reinforces Engro’s commitment to participating in Pakistan’s digital transformation and technology-led growth.
The partnership introduces a new era of commercial and strategic cooperation between two of Pakistan’s most prominent organizations. Jazz, under its ServiceCo strategy, is evolving into a multi-faceted digital services provider, while Engro gains a critical entry point into telecom infrastructure. Both companies aim to foster innovation, scale efficient digital infrastructure, and support national ambitions for a connected and empowered digital economy.
This development also showcases increasing private-sector collaboration to meet Pakistan’s long-term digital infrastructure requirements. With mobile data consumption, digital payments, and cloud-based services continuing to expand rapidly, efficient and scalable telecom infrastructure has become essential. Through this partnership, Jazz and Engro are positioned to play a central role in enabling next-generation connectivity solutions across the country.
As the partnership takes effect, Engro Connect will manage Deodar’s network of telecom towers and infrastructure assets, while Jazz retains strategic access through a lease arrangement, ensuring uninterrupted services to millions of users across Pakistan. The successful closure of this transaction not only reflects investor confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy but also serves as a model for future private-sector partnerships aimed at accelerating technological advancement nationwide.
