Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday announced that bank accounts of mosque imams will be activated by the end of February, calling it a major step towards restoring dignity and financial transparency for religious leaders.

Addressing a gathering of scholars and imams, Maryam Nawaz warmly welcomed clerics from all schools of thought and acknowledged their unique and respected role in society. “Whenever there is a problem, people turn to the imam of the mosque. You guide us in times of grief and happiness,” she said, underlining their moral influence.

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The chief minister revealed that Punjab has nearly 80,000 mosques across different sects, yet many imams still receive as little as Rs5,000 per month. “When some imams told me they earn only Rs5,000, it deeply saddened me,” she said, adding that misleading propaganda was spread against the honorary card scheme introduced for them.

Maryam Nawaz stressed that religious scholars must take responsibility for stopping religious hatred and division. She said some elements had misused religion to spread chaos, tearing apart Pakistan’s peaceful social fabric.

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Referring to recent unrest, she said government vehicles under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ campaign were set on fire, Rangers and police personnel were martyred, public property was torched, and roads were blocked. “All this violence has harmed our society and national unity,” she added.

The chief minister said the Punjab government wants peace, unity, and harmony to prevail in the country and sees religious leaders as key partners in achieving this goal.