The Punjab government has released Rs 14.5 billion to prayer leaders across the province under an ongoing institutional welfare plan. Spearheaded under the Chief Minister’s Imam Masjid Sahibaan Honorarium Programme, the funding provides structured financial assistance to community religious leaders throughout the region.
Key Takeaways
- Over Rs 14.5 billion has been distributed to registered mosque imams across Punjab.
- The Home Department has successfully cataloged and registered more than 76,000 mosques.
- The initiative carries an estimated annual provincial budget exceeding Rs 20 billion.
- Beneficiaries must conduct at least one financial transaction every quarter to keep stipends active.
Scale and Scope of the Welfare Initiative
Provincial authorities have significantly broadened the administrative footprint of the scheme. According to Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, the regional administration has set aside more than Rs 20 billion per year to ensure steady continuity for the stipend project.
The Home Department spearheaded the documentation phase, successfully cataloging more than 76,000 local mosques across Punjab's districts. The broad documentation drive guarantees that assistance reaches community leaders directly, standardizing the support mechanism across urban centers and rural union councils alike.
Banking Compliance and Direct Account Transfers
To curb administrative bottlenecks and ensure transparency, disbursements move directly through verified personal banking channels. Officials have urged participating prayer leaders to actively maintain their financial accounts to avert accidental payment freezes.
Account regulations mandate that registered imams complete at least one debit or credit transaction every three months. Routine activity validates the account status within the centralized treasury platform, guaranteeing that monthly disbursements continue without interruption.