Jhelum Library Reopens After Four-Month Restoration With 4,000 Books
Jhelum city received two notable civic developments this October: its historic 90-year-old Lala Lajpat Rai Library reopened after a four-month, $36,000 restoration project by the district administration, emerging as a bright modern space with nearly 4,000 books and a new computer lab. Separately, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani visited petrol pumps across Jhelum in late September to personally oversee the PM Fuel Relief Scheme, directing expanded registration camps to reach more eligible citizens.
🤝 Lala Lajpat Rai Library Transformed by District Administration Renovation
Jhelum's Lala Lajpat Rai Library, roughly 90 years old, has been given a fresh start following a four-month restoration project by the district administration. The renovation cost approximately $36,000 and has completely remade the interior. The once dimly lit reading room with faded paint and little more than a single table has been replaced by a bright, modern environment. Polished wooden bookshelves now line the walls alongside thousands of books, and a fully equipped computer lab has been added. The restored reading hall has already drawn positive reactions from residents who had not visited in some time. Twenty-two-year-old Zain-ul-Abideen returned after about a year and said he barely recognised the space. He recalled the old building as faded and unwelcoming, contrasting it with what he found on his return: new shelves, good lighting, and an inviting atmosphere. The library now holds nearly 4,000 books. Officials from the district administration stated that the renovation aims to revive a reading culture in Jhelum and provide residents with a modern public space for education and self-improvement. The project represents one of the more tangible investments in Jhelum's cultural infrastructure in recent years. [7]
🗳️ Kayani Reviews PM Fuel Relief Scheme at Jhelum Petrol Pumps
Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani visited petrol pumps across Jhelum on September 23, 2026, to personally review implementation of the Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme. During the inspection, Kayani visited registration camps established at petrol pumps where citizens can enrol for the scheme. The registration process allows eligible residents to obtain fuel relief tokens by sending an SMS to 9771. Kayani did not simply observe: he personally assisted citizens with the registration process and filled petrol in the motorcycles of eligible beneficiaries after tokens were issued, demonstrating direct engagement with the scheme delivery. Following the visit, he directed the district administration to establish additional registration camps outside the DHQ Hospital and at government colleges in Jhelum, in order to broaden access and reach citizens who may not easily visit petrol pumps. The Minister confirmed that subsidised petrol under the scheme is available for motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws, and engine vehicles up to 800cc, targeting lower-income residents who depend on these modes of transport for their livelihoods and daily commute. [5]
Sources: [7] Arab News PK · [5] RADIO PAKISTAN