Telenor Pakistan’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Khurrum Ashfaque as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
This transition follows the tenure of Irfan Wahab Khan, who will be taking on a fresh role as Senior Vice President (SVP) within Telenor Asia. Irfan will continue to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB). The official commencement of Khurrum’s role as CEO is scheduled for September 15, 2023.
Khurrum Ashfaque, who formerly held the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Telenor Pakistan, brings with him a robust 17-year history within the company. His contributions have been pivotal in repositioning Telenor Pakistan as a robust and forward-looking entity prepared for the challenges of the future.
Jørgen A. Rostrup, Head of Telenor Asia and Chair of the Board of Telenor Pakistan, expressed his satisfaction with the transition, highlighting Khurrum’s unparalleled comprehension of both the company and the Pakistani telecom landscape. He anticipates that Khurrum’s leadership will sustain the company’s positive momentum, infuse operational excellence, and continue delivering value to customers. Rostrup extended a warm welcome to Irfan in his new role within Telenor Asia’s leadership team based in Singapore, acknowledging the immense leadership experience Irfan brings.
Expressing his honor at assuming the CEO role, Khurrum Ashfaque underscored his commitment to building upon Irfan’s legacy of growth and innovation. In light of the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector, Khurrum’s focus will be on customer empowerment and driving digital transformation. He expressed confidence in the dedicated team’s ability to uphold exceptional service standards and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s digital progress.
Reflecting on his journey, Irfan Wahab Khan expressed deep gratitude and reflected on the remarkable accomplishments achieved during his seven-year tenure as CEO. He warmly welcomed Khurrum into his new role and expressed conviction that under Khurrum’s guidance, the teams would continue to empower communities, drive positive change, and transform lives. Irfan also shared his excitement for contributing his experiences and insights to Telenor’s broader regional aspirations.
In his farewell email to the Telenor Pakistan employees, Irfan highlighted the transformative journey the company had undertaken together, noting that their collective efforts had redefined Pakistan’s telecom and digital landscape. He emphasized the importance of leadership that inspires from within and empowers each individual to become leaders themselves. Irfan entrusted this responsibility to Khurrum Ashfaque, describing him as a homegrown talent who shares the same values and commitment.
Irfan’s departure from the CEO role signifies a turn in the road rather than a farewell, with his commitment and love for Telenor Pakistan remaining steadfast. He assured his colleagues that he would always be available for advice, discussions, and camaraderie. He urged the team to rise above challenges and embrace positivity in their pursuit of building a “Digital Pakistan.”
Irfan Wahab Khan joined Telenor in 2004 as the first employee of Telenor Pakistan and has held various leadership roles across Telenor Group’s operations in Europe and Asia. During his seven-year tenure as CEO of Telenor Pakistan, he contributed significantly to business resilience and digitalization efforts.
