The Government of Punjab has announced that for the first time in the province’s history, it will provide a stipend to around 65,000 imams serving in mosques across Punjab. The decision was taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Speaking after a security and public-order meeting, the Chief Minister said that an imam of a mosque is a respected figure in society, and collecting donations from the neighbourhood to pay an imam is no longer appropriate. She noted that the provincial government will now provide economic support to mosque imams according to need.
During the same meeting, the government approved the inclusion of mosque construction and repair projects in the Annual Development Programme. Maryam Nawaz also instructed authorities to expedite the restoration of roads in Raiwind ahead of a major religious gathering, fill potholes, and run special bus services for participants. She further directed deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to personally visit mosque imams to ensure support measures are implemented.
The meeting also saw the approval of a policy decision to establish a cybercrime cell in Punjab, along with directives to strictly enforce laws against illegal loudspeaker use. Religious leaders welcomed the government’s initiatives. The Chief Minister stated that maintaining the sanctity of mosques is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
The announcement aligns with previous initiatives in other provinces. For example, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2021 approved a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for around 22,000 imams. (Business Recorder)
Government officials noted that the move aims to institutionalise financial support for mosque leadership and end reliance on informal community-based donations. The policy is expected to have a significant social impact by reinforcing respect and stability for religious leadership across the province.
