Lahore: In a significant development, the Government of Punjab has disbursed Rs. 14.5 billion as honorarium to mosque imams across the province under the Chief Minister Punjab’s Imam Masjid Sahibaan Honorarium Programme. The initiative, which has registered over 76,000 mosques, aims to support religious leaders in their community-building efforts.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the fifth meeting of the Steering Committee on the program was chaired by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique at the Punjab Home Department. Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi provided a briefing on the program’s progress, highlighting the registration and geotagging of mosques, and ensuring a transparent and efficient disbursement process.

The meeting underscored the importance of timely online application processing, directing relevant departments to address any issues swiftly. Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed optimism about the program’s long-term benefits, emphasizing the imams’ role in fostering peace and social values. The Punjab Home Department continues to manage the program’s operational aspects, with plans to introduce a chatbot for addressing queries and facilitating seamless communication with the imams.