Pakistan, Oct. 28 -- In a landmark decision, Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to introduce a monthly stipend for 'imams' of 65,000 mosque across the province, being the first initiative of its kind in Pakistan's history. She said while presiding over the fifth consecutive meeting on law and order that mosque imams are highly respected members of a society and it is inappropriate for local communities to collect donations to pay them. She noted, "Punjab government will take responsibility for providing financial support to mosque imams to ensure their dignity and welfare."

Chief Minister Punjab was briefed by the relevant authorities that projects for the construction and renovation of mosques h...