Punjab govt’s big initiative, monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 for Imams

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired a meeting to review the progress of the honorarium program for Imams of Mosques as per the instructions of the Punjab Chief Minister and it was decided to implement the project.

An agreement was reached in the meeting for the distribution of honorarium between the Home Department and the Bank of Punjab. All registered Imams of Mosques across Punjab will be given a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 each from January 1.

The first honorarium will be provided through a pay order, while later the money will be collected through a debit card every month. The government will spend more than Rs 1.5 billion every month for this program.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the names of people involved in hateful statements or anti-state activities will be removed from the honorarium list.

The pay order of the first honorarium for the respected Imams of Mosques will be available in the office of the concerned Assistant Commissioner so that all legal and administrative processes are completed.

The honorarium program will not only provide financial support to the Imams of the mosque, but will also encourage social services and promote the positive role of religious leadership.

Under the government’s strategy, steps are being taken to ensure the provision of honorarium in a transparent and effective manner, so that every registered Imam of the mosque can receive the honorarium he deserves and in a timely manner.