The merged Ufone-Telenor operation has moved closer to adopting a new identity after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority granted conditional approval for its proposed rebranding. Sources familiar with the regulatory process said the approval depends on Pak Telecom Mobile Limited completing every required legal formality. PTML must then notify PTA before starting any commercial launch, advertising or promotional campaign under the new identity. The regulator has not confirmed a launch date. PTA sources also said the authority knew nothing about reports suggesting a rebranding event on September 15. Approval clears another regulatory hurdle PTA approved the proposed brand modification through a letter dated June 16, according to earlier reporting by Business Recorder. The regulator later reiterated its conditions in a July 2 communication to PTML. Those instructions required the company to notify PTA after the legal amalgamation took effect and before commercially introducing the brand. The rebranding subsequently faced delays amid questions about legal compliance and corporate governance. Earlier, PTA sought documentation linked to the merged company’s directors and corporate structure. Dawn reported that an official from the Ministry of Information Technology explained why Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan records mattered. “Ufone is a brand of Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML), and as Telenor Pakistan has been amalgamated into it, there could be a change in PTML directors,” the official said. Ufone and Telenor combine under PTML Telenor Pakistan has now been amalgamated into PTML, the legal company behind Ufone, following approval from the Islamabad High Court. The integration places both operators’ spectrum, mobile networks and customer bases under one operation. The combined business serves more than 74 million subscribers, making it one of Pakistan’s largest mobile operators. Management has proposed retiring the Ufone and Telenor Pakistan identities and replacing them with the global “e&” brand. The merger followed PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan. The Competition Commission of Pakistan approved the transaction in October 2025, subject to extensive safeguards protecting competition and consumers. Those conditions included separate management structures, independent oversight, non-discriminatory infrastructure access and restrictions on cross-subsidisation. CCP also required the merged business to pass claimed efficiencies to consumers through improved services, pricing and investment. Customers still waiting for transition details Despite regulatory progress, PTML has not publicly confirmed the final brand name. It has also not announced a launch date or detailed transition plan for existing Ufone and Telenor customers. Customers still do not know when network branding, service centres, mobile applications, SIM packaging or promotional material might change. PTA’s conditional approval indicates that the rebranding can move forward once PTML meets the remaining requirements. However, the company cannot begin marketing the new identity until it completes those steps and formally informs the regulator. For now, “e&” remains the proposed name rather than a publicly launched consumer brand. Ufone and Telenor customers must wait for PTML to explain how the change will affect their services, packages and account management.
Honda CG 125 2027 Prices, Features and Changes Revealed
Atlas Honda has introduced its 2027 Honda CG 125 range in Pakistan, bringing a new colour and revised graphics but no major mechanical redesign. The lineup includes the standard CG 125, CG 125S and CG 125S Gold Edition. Prices remain unchanged at Rs238,500, Rs286,900 and Rs296,900, respectively. The launch has drawn mixed reactions from riders. Some welcome the motorcycles’ relative affordability and fresh appearance. Others argue that another sticker-led update falls short of meaningful improvement. What changes on the standard CG 125? The standard CG 125 receives the lineup’s biggest visible change. Atlas Honda has replaced the previous blue option with silver, while continuing to offer red and black. The red and black motorcycles also gain refreshed fuel-tank graphics and updated stickers. However, the overall body, frame and familiar shape remain unchanged. Read More: Pakistan Gets an Updated Honda CD 70 Dream, but Is It New? The base model retains its 124.1cc four-stroke, air-cooled OHV engine, kick-start system and four-speed constant-mesh transmission. Atlas Honda lists a 9.2-litre fuel tank and a dry weight of 100kg. It also keeps yellow indicator lenses with white bulbs. This detail is not new, but it distinguishes the standard motorcycle from the two CG 125S versions. What buyers get with the CG 125S models The CG 125S costs Rs48,400 more than the base model. It combines self-start and kick-start systems with a five-speed transmission, offering greater convenience than the four-speed CG 125. For 2027, Honda has added revised graphics and silver detailing to the body and exhaust. The motorcycle retains clear indicator lenses with yellow bulbs, which also appeared in earlier model years. The CG 125S Gold Edition costs Rs296,900, placing it Rs10,000 above the regular 125S. Mechanically, the two motorcycles remain closely matched. The Gold Edition uses the same self-start and kick-start arrangement, 124.1cc engine and five-speed gearbox. Its main differences include gold-coloured body accents, revised graphics and a gold-finished exhaust. Atlas Honda’s official specifications list a 9.2-litre fuel tank and 108kg dry weight for the Gold Edition. Buyers can choose red or black. Familiar formula divides motorcycle buyers Atlas Honda has not introduced a new body shape or significantly revised the CG 125’s mechanical package. The company instead continues its familiar model-year strategy of changing colours, graphics and stickers. It took a similar approach with the updated 2027 CD 70 and CD 70 Dream. Both motorcycles received cosmetic revisions while retaining their established designs and engines. Read More: Honda Announces Bold $20M Investment in Pakistan’s Bike Market The strategy reflects the CG 125’s strong position in Pakistan. Buyers often value the motorcycle for reliability, simple maintenance, readily available parts, resale value and Atlas Honda’s extensive service network. However, social media users have again joked that the annual update resembles a new sticker pack rather than a new motorcycle. Others question whether cosmetic revisions deserve the attention surrounding each model-year launch. The debate leaves Atlas Honda facing the same question raised by disappointed enthusiasts: “When will Honda give the CG 125 more than just a new set of stickers?”
Trump Suggests Renaming Strait of Hormuz as Trump Strait
US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait”, linking the idea to his claim that Washington now controls the strategic waterway amid the war with Iran. Trump floated the change on Wednesday through his Truth Social platform. The White House later amplified the proposal on X and shared a map that replaced the established name with “Trump Strait”. “Now that we have it under USA control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be ‘hotter’ than ever before!” Trump wrote. It’s got a nice ring to it pic.twitter.com/Fmzc9iUu8u — The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 2, 2026 start=”643″ data-end=”690″>A symbolic proposal amid a military contest The suggestion carries no announced international agreement and comes while control of the passage remains contested. Trump has repeatedly claimed US sovereignty over the strait in recent weeks. He has also posted a map depicting it as a “new US territory”. The White House said on August 28 that the US Navy controlled the strait through a blockade. Iran, however, has continued trying to restrict shipping through the narrow passage in response to US and Israeli attacks. The conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The confrontation disrupted energy shipments and made the waterway a central military and economic battleground. US forces launched another wave of strikes near the strait on Tuesday. The US military said it targeted Iranian air defences, radar systems, maritime assets, communications sites and mine-laying capabilities. Iran reported attacks on several locations near the waterway. Oil markets react to renewed strikes Global oil prices gained more than $4 a barrel on Tuesday and reached a five-week high, according to Reuters. Prices rose further on Thursday, touching six-week highs as traders assessed the risk of another major supply disruption. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said 17 million barrels of oil crossed the strait on Monday. He described that volume as the highest since the war reduced traffic. Iran has nevertheless maintained pressure on shipping, creating competing claims about who controls the route. Read More: US Sanctions Iran’s Financial Network After Strait of Hormuz Attacks The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. US Energy Information Administration data show that it carried about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum consumption in 2024 and early 2025. It also handled around one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade in 2024. Trump continues geographical renaming push Trump’s proposal follows other attempts to change prominent geographical names. One week earlier, he signed an order directing the US government to call Lake Ontario “Lake America” during a trade dispute with Canada. On his first day back in office in January 2025, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” for US federal use. Mexico and Canada have not accepted the changes involving the Gulf and Lake Ontario. Read More: Oil Falls as US Moves to Free Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz Several earlier ideas began as seemingly jovial remarks by the 80-year-old president before becoming formal US policy. It remains unclear whether the “Trump Strait” proposal will lead to an executive order or remain a social media suggestion.
