ISLAMABAD, July 26: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is closing down two voluntary repatriation centres (VRCs) and reducing the working time of others, the agency announced on Thursday.

In the NWFP, the centre at Aza Kheil near Peshawar will close down from Aug 1. The VRC at Tahkta Baig will be open Monday through Thursday.

The VRC at Baleli in Quetta will be open Monday through Thursday.

The Burhan scheduling centre on the road from Islamabad to Peshawar will close down.

The centre in Islamabad will operate from Sunday to Thursday every week. From July 29, it will handle only the residents of Islamabad.

The UNHCR will escort refugees requesting assistance in Islamabad to their homes to ensure they are residents of the city.

The refugees residing in Punjab were told to approach the Takhta Baig centre.

The VRC at Hub Chowki and Gadap/Songal will be open Sunday through Thursday every week.