Staff Reporter
LAHORE Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired an important meeting of all relevant departments, in which it was decided to establish more effective mosque management committees comprising respected local notables across the province.The meeting noted that the state, religious scholars, and community elders stand united for the maintenance of peace and religious harmony in Punjab.Officials briefed that the Punjab government has transformed mosque administration into a public trust model to ensure transparency and community participation. Orders have been issued for the immediate disbursement of stipends to Imams across the province.Authorities apprised that the registration process for mosque Imams is in the final stages, with special counters established in every tehsil office under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners to facilitate swift registration. Imams will be able to submit stipend applications in both manual and digital formats, while disbursements are expected to begin within a few weeks.Officials further informed that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, complete digital mapping and data compilation of religious institutions has been completed. Data of 20,863 seminaries and geo-tagging of 56,000 mosques have been finalized and stored in a transparent digital database.The meeting was also told that a new era of unity, harmony, and interfaith brotherhood has begun in mosques managed by the Punjab Auqaf Department. Currently, 284 mosques are under Auqaf’s supervision, while 47 are being managed independently. The government is considering an increase in stipends for Imams in recognition of their religious and social services.
Officials also briefed that, to uphold the writ of the state, authorities have arrested 64 individuals who rented out their properties to Afghan nationals, while cases have been registered against three factory owners for business links with Afghan citizens residing illegally in Punjab. Over 45,000 locations across the province have been checked to identify and take action against illegal residents.
