Pakistan, Jan. 12 -- For decades, mosque imams have quietly carried the weight of their communities-leading prayers, counselling families, guiding moral choices, and shaping social norms-while often struggling to make ends meet. Many survived on small, irregular donations, which are mostly far below what is needed to meet basic household expenses. Their societal influence contrasted sharply with their economic vulnerability, a paradox that the Punjab government has now decisively addressed.

With the launch of the Chief Minister Punjab Honorarium Card, more than 66,000 registered imams across the province will now receive a monthly honorarium of Rs25,000. For the first time in the province's history, mosque leaders are being formally inte...