Punjab Approves “Chief Minister’s Honorarium Card for Mosque Imams”; Payments to Begin January 2026

Lahore:The Punjab government has approved the launch of the **“Chief Minister Punjab Honorarium Card for Mosque Imams”**, a major initiative aimed at providing structured financial support to mosque leaders across the province. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

According to the plan, the honorarium card will be fully operational by **February 2026**, while payments will formally begin from **January 1**. Initially, payments will be issued through pay orders, and from **February 1**, all disbursements will be made via the Honorarium Card.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz instructed officials to continue the registration process for imams without interruption. So far, **62,994 registration forms** have been received from across Punjab, and the verification process is ongoing. The honorarium of any imam found involved in anti-state activities or moral/financial crimes will be terminated, officials said.

The government has also established **Mosque Management Committees** and **Tehsil Management Committees** across the province to supervise the process.

Maryam Nawaz further directed assistant commissioners to hold monthly meetings with imams and ordered continuous combing operations in sensitive areas.

The meeting also approved new legislation to ensure strict action against individuals damaging Safe City cameras or government property.

Additionally, the chief minister instructed authorities to enhance the **digital monitoring of individuals on the Fourth Schedule**, and to continue operations against **illegally residing Afghan nationals**.