The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has formally approved Systems Limited’s acquisition of SAA Services (Pvt) Ltd from British American Tobacco International Holdings (UK) Ltd, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s IT and business process outsourcing landscape. The approval comes after a thorough assessment conducted under Phase I of CCP’s merger review framework, in accordance with the Competition Act, 2010.
Systems Limited, a prominent Pakistani firm offering software development, BPO, and cloud services, will assume full ownership of SAA Services. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Systems Limited’s operational capabilities and expand its service delivery infrastructure by integrating best practices from a global captive service provider.
SAA Services, prior to the acquisition, operated exclusively within the British American Tobacco (BAT) ecosystem. The company provides internal support to BAT group companies, managing key functions including human resources, finance, procurement, and digital technology solutions. Importantly, SAA Services does not engage with external clients either in Pakistan or abroad, which factored significantly in CCP’s review.
After a detailed evaluation, the Competition Commission concluded that the acquisition raises no competition concerns. The regulator highlighted that SAA Services and Systems Limited have no overlapping operations in the domestic BPO sector. Therefore, the deal does not consolidate market power, limit competition, or adversely affect customers in Pakistan.
The CCP noted that the acquisition could deliver strategic and economic benefits for the Pakistani IT sector. By gaining access to SAA Services’ established operational frameworks, Systems Limited can leverage global standards and advanced business processes to enhance its offerings domestically. This integration is expected to drive operational efficiency, improve service quality, and potentially create employment opportunities within Pakistan’s technology and outsourcing ecosystem.
Industry observers suggest that this move strengthens Systems Limited’s position in the local IT and BPO market. With the acquisition, the company will not only inherit a robust internal service network but also gain exposure to international operational methodologies and technology practices, positioning it for future growth in both IT solutions and business process outsourcing.
The approval also reflects the CCP’s ongoing commitment to facilitating corporate growth while ensuring a competitive marketplace. By allowing strategic acquisitions that do not harm market competition, the regulator encourages businesses to innovate, expand, and adopt global best practices without creating monopolistic conditions.
Commenting on the acquisition, industry experts emphasized that such moves are critical for Pakistan’s IT sector as companies strive to enhance efficiency and service standards. The integration of SAA Services into Systems Limited is expected to reinforce the company’s ability to manage complex enterprise operations while maintaining high standards of governance, compliance, and technological advancement.
This development comes amid a broader trend of technological and operational consolidation in Pakistan’s IT and BPO sectors, where firms are actively seeking strategic partnerships and acquisitions to scale their capabilities and compete effectively on a global stage.
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