Pakistan's telecom 9-mth net profit down 28.33 pct

KARACHI, Apr 26 (Reuters) Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (PTCL) on Wednesday reported a 28.33 percent fall in net profit for the nine months to March 31 as increased competition resulted in lower call traffic and reduced tariffs.

PTCL, which enjoys a virtual monopoly on Pakistan's land lines, reported net profit of 15.28 billion rupees (4.45 million) for the nine-month period, down from 21.32 billion a year earlier.

Earlier this month, Dubai-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp. (Etisalat) took over management control of PTCL from the government of Pakistan after acquiring 26 percent shares in the company.

REUTERS CS KP1211