LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has declared that the government will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize national security or allow discord to flourish under the guise of religion, emphasizing that religious scholars bear the responsibility of preventing sectarian hatred and division in society.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the ‘Chief Minister Honorarium Card for Imams,’ Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to religious leaders as the pillars of society and standard-bearers of faith. “I consider it an honour to have the opportunity to serve the imams through this honorarium initiative,” she stated, noting that people turn to religious scholars for guidance during moments of both joy and grief. Over 66,000 imams to receive monthly stipends of Rs 25,000 through digital payment system.
In the ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House lawns, the CM personally distributed honorarium cards to imams representing various districts of Punjab. The project, which will cost Rs20 billion annually, introduces a transparent digital payment mechanism ensuring direct transfers to beneficiaries.
Under the scheme, registered imams will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 through the Chief Minister Punjab Honorarium Card. The recipients can withdraw funds directly from ATMs, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring complete transparency in disbursements. Regular payments through the card system will commence from February.Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif termed the arrival of religious scholars at the Chief Minister House an honour for the government of Punjab. The event featured a special documentary highlighting the objectives and scope of the honorarium card project.
Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq outlined the aims and objectives of the Chief Minister Honorarium Card for Imams project, emphasizing that the initiative recognizes the invaluable services rendered by prayer leaders in promoting religious education and community guidance across Punjab.
This marks the first time in Punjab’s history that such a comprehensive financial support system has been established for imams. The digital payment mechanism not only ensures transparency but also provides dignity and financial security to religious scholars who serve communities throughout the province. The scheme represents a significant investment in supporting religious leadership and acknowledging the crucial role imams play in society. By providing regular financial assistance, the government aims to enable prayer leaders to focus on their religious and social responsibilities without financial constraints.
The Chief Minister congratulated Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi, and the entire team for the successful launch of the honorarium card project.
She revealed that when the decision was initially made to provide Rs 15,000 to imams, Quaid PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif directed that the amount must be increased to at least Rs 25,000.
Expressing concern over the financial difficulties faced by religious scholars, the CM noted that many imams survive on monthly collections of merely Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. “It is regrettable that in 2026, many mosque imams are offered only Rs 5,000. Like ordinary citizens, imams also face essential expenses, and meeting daily costs with such meagre income is extremely difficult,” she observed.
The CM disclosed that Punjab has approximately 80,000 mosques, with positive responses received from 70,000 during the registration process. She announced that this month, payments would be made through pay orders, while from next month, regular digital payments would commence through the honorarium card. “The purpose of digital payments through the card is transparency and convenience,” she explained, appealing to mosque management committees through the media to continue their regular support alongside the government stipend.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026