ISLAMABAD - Universal Service Fund, Ministry of IT, awarded two contracts worth Rs 1.037 billion to PTCL and Wateen Telecom in a bid to provide Broadband Internet services in the un-served urban areas of Central telecom region (CTR). According to details, these projects will provide broadband Internet facility to 37 towns and cities of the districts of Kasur, Nankana, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal and Sheikhupura. In addition to this, 215 higher secondary schools, colleges and public libraries will get educational broadband centres. Fifty-seven Community Broadband Centres will also be established. 101,500 broadband connections are targeted to be provided under this project. Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa said that the prime objective of the Government to allocate Rs 1 billion out of Universal Service Fund, which consists of contributions of licensed telecom service providers, is to provide most modern services to the Pakistanis living in smaller towns and cities where this facility would not have come for another 3 to 5 years. CEO of Universal Service Fund informed that after signing of these projects the total amount committed by Universal Service Fund for various ICT projects has reached 13.3b rupees. Out of 13.3, broadband in 06 telecom regions is getting Rs 6.1b. In his briefing he stated that target was to bring all parts of the country at par with one another.