SADIQABAD, Nov 12: Research centres in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Vehari and Mianwali have been closed for unknown reasons.

The development is being regarded as a setback to research activities aimed at finding new varieties of cotton with better per acre yield in districts that boast around 70 per cent of the provincial cotton yield. The centres had also been helping farmers combat the menace of insect and worm assaults.

Sources attributed the sudden closure of the centres of Bahawalpur and Vehari tothe fact that they had been located on land included in urban area.

It may be noted that the decision to close these centres had earlier been made about six months ago, but was withdrawn some time later.