By Our Correspondent
LAHORE, 08 January 2026: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched Punjab’s first honorarium card for prayer leaders, marking a historic initiative that will provide monthly financial support to over 66,000 registered imams across the province.
A dignified ceremony was held at the Chief Minister House lawns to honor the religious scholars, where the Chief Minister 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 Rs25,000 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 honor for the government of Punjab. The event featured a special documentary highlighting the objectives and scope of the honorarium card project.
The Chief Minister personally presented cards to imams from across Punjab, including Rafiq Mughal from Attock, Rizwan Kausar from Faisalabad, Nadir Raza Jafri from Multan, Abdul Waheed from Lahore, Ghulam Mustafa from Bhakkar, Owais Manzoor from Pakpattan, Syed Muhammad Aun from Muzaffargarh, and Ata-ur-Rahman from Dera Ghazi Khan.
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.
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