The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, where several important measures for religious leaders were finalized.

According to the announcement, the government has set a deadline of February 2026 for the issuance of the honorary cards. Starting January 1, 2026, imams will receive their payments via pay orders for the first time, and from February 1 onward, disbursements will be made through the "Chief Minister Punjab Honorary Card for Imams."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz instructed that the registration process for imams of 65,000 mosques continue uninterrupted. Payments will be suspended for any imam found involved in activities against national or public interest, as well as in moral or financial misconduct. Mosque management committees and tehsil-level committees have been established across the province to support administration. Assistant Commissioners have been directed to hold monthly meetings with registered imams.

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The provincial authorities have already received 62,994 registration forms from imams, and the verification process is ongoing.

In the same meeting, the Chief Minister also approved legislation for strict action against damage to public property and Safe City cameras. She further directed the implementation of digital monitoring of criminals listed in the Fourth Schedule and ordered continued combing operations in sensitive areas. Additionally, operations against illegally residing Afghan nationals in the province will remain ongoing.

This initiative forms part of Punjab’s broader efforts to provide structured support to religious leaders while ensuring accountability and security within public and religious spaces.