The Board of Directors of Telenor Pakistan has appointed Fridtjof Rusten as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He will succeed Khurrum Ashfaque, who will take on a new leadership role within Telenor Group. Fridtjof will take over the helm at Telenor Pakistan on 1 September 2025.
Fridtjof has over 23 years of working experience and has held several key leadership roles in Asia with Telenor Group. He was most recently Chief Transformation Officer at True Corporation where he was responsible for delivering the first phase of the merger integration between dtac and True. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Telenor Pakistan from 2020-2023.
“I am pleased to welcome Fridtjof as the new CEO of Telenor Pakistan as he brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role, having served as Chief Financial Officer of Telenor Pakistan. During his tenure as CFO, he led the company through a period of strategic transformation and operational turnaround. Fridtjof’s familiarity with the Pakistan market, his proven track record, and his commitment to excellence make him ideally suited to lead Telenor Pakistan into its next chapter.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Khurrum for his outstanding contributions over the last two years as CEO. He has steered the company through a period of transformation and challenges with remarkable steadiness. Telenor Pakistan delivered strong business results and accelerated its digital transformation journey, while continuing to focus on customer value and financial discipline,” says Marius Gigernes, Chair of the Board of Telenor Pakistan.
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“Telenor Pakistan has consistently produced high-calibre professionals who go on to take up important roles across the organisation’s global footprint. This is a testament to the company’s strong people practices, which prioritise leadership development, cross-functional exposure, and a culture of continuous learning. Khurrum is yet another example of Telenor Pakistan’s role as a contributor to Telenor Group’s leadership pipeline,” adds Marius.
Fridtjof Rusten, incoming CEO of Telenor Pakistan says, “I’m excited to be returning to Pakistan and reconnecting with an exceptional group of colleagues. I am committed to building upon the strong culture of empowerment, innovation and integrity that defines the company. As we navigate the evolving telecommunications landscape in Pakistan, I am confident that we will continue to shape the country’s digital future.”
Commenting on the transition, Khurrum shares, “It has been an incredible journey leading Telenor Pakistan the last two years and I thank every member of the Telenor Pakistan family. Their unwavering dedication, especially through times of change, has made Telenor Pakistan a great organisation. Together, we’ve not only connected millions but empowered entire communities. I wish Fridtjof the best in his new role and assured that under his leadership, Telenor Pakistan will continue to make a difference in millions of lives in Pakistan.”
