In a major administrative step aimed at supporting religious leadership and strengthening community-level governance, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the launch of a new, structured honorarium payment system for mosque imams across the province.
The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting she chaired on Tuesday, marking an important shift toward financial transparency and institutional support for imams.
Chief Minister Imam Masjid Honorarium Card Approved
At the meeting, the government formally approved the Chief Minister Imam Masjid Honorarium Card, which will become the primary mechanism for disbursing payments. The card-based system is expected to streamline monthly honorariums, reduce administrative hurdles, and create a transparent financial trail.
While the honorarium card will be fully functional starting February 1, 2026, the government has decided to begin payments through pay orders from January 1 to avoid delays. The complete issuance of cards is targeted for February 2026, giving authorities time to finalize verification procedures and system integration.
Nearly 63,000 Imams Registered Across Punjab
Officials briefed the chief minister that 62,994 imams have already submitted their registration forms. Verification teams are now cross-checking credentials, mosque details, and administrative records to ensure accuracy and prevent duplication.
Read more: Monthly stipends of Rs 25,000 announced for imams of Punjab’s over 65,000 mosques
Maryam Nawaz directed that the registration process should remain open and uninterrupted, ensuring that no eligible imam is left out during the transition to the new system.
Zero Tolerance for Misconduct or Anti-State Activities
The chief minister made it clear that the honorarium is a position of responsibility, not entitlement. She ordered the immediate suspension of payments to any imam found involved in anti-national activities, moral misconduct, or financial irregularities.
To ensure effective oversight, new mosque management committees and tehsil management committees will play an active role in monitoring the system, preventing misuse, and ensuring accountable administration at the grassroots level.
Improved Coordination and Local Security Monitoring
Maryam Nawaz also instructed the assistant commissioners to conduct monthly meetings with imams. These sessions will emphasize
- Community concerns
- Mosque administration
- Evolving security challenges
The chief minister kept on emphasizing the importance of combing operations in sensitive areas and ordered enhanced digital monitoring of individuals placed on the Fourth Schedule.
She also gave relevant instructions to authorities to continue operations against illegally residing Afghan nationals, making certain all actions are conducted within legal frameworks and administrative protocols.