Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the “Chief Minister Punjab Rs25,000 Honorarium Card for Imam Masjid Sahiban,” a welfare initiative providing financial support to mosque imams across the province. The program aims to benefit approximately 70,000 registered imams, with monthly payments of Rs25,000 directly transferred to their bank accounts.
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Addressing a ceremony in Lahore attended by hundreds of imams, the chief minister said the issuance of the honorarium cards would be completed by February 2026. Until then, payments will be made through pay orders, after which the card will become the sole channel for withdrawals from Bank of Punjab ATMs.
یہ منصوبہ سالانہ 20 ارب روپے پر مشتمل ہے۔ فروری کے آخر سے انشاءاللہ بینک آف پنجاب کے کارڈز کے ذریعے ماہانہ 25 ہزار روپے منتقل ہوں گے۔ تقریباً 70 ہزار امام صاحبان کے بینک اکاؤنٹس کھل چکے ہیں۔ یہ رقم اعزازی کارڈ برائے امام مسجد کے ذریعے دی جائے گی۔
وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز شریف pic.twitter.com/ImpiPp0atT
— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 8, 2026
The initiative is expected to cost the provincial government over Rs1.2 billion annually. CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted the vital role of religious scholars, stating that ulema hold a respected position in society and deserve recognition for their contributions. Punjab has nearly 80,000 mosques spanning all sects.
Addressing misinformation surrounding the program, the chief minister clarified that the honorarium card is a transparent welfare scheme aimed at fostering religious harmony and social stability. She stressed that preventing religious extremism requires cooperation between the state and religious leaders, emphasizing that disruptive elements using religion for personal gain would not be tolerated.
The chief minister also warned that any imam found engaged in activities against national interests or involved in moral or financial misconduct would have their honorarium suspended immediately. She described such behavior as “poison for society” and reiterated the state’s responsibility to hold oppressors accountable.
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The Rs25,000 honorarium card scheme represents a landmark effort by the Punjab government to support mosque imams while promoting religious unity and accountability, ensuring that spiritual leaders are financially secure and socially recognized for their service.