Punjab to Establish Mosque Management Committees Across Province – Digital Mapping Completed
The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has announced a major step toward modernizing and strengthening the administration of religious institutions. In a high-level meeting held in Lahore, it was officially decided to establish effective Mosque Management Committees Across Province, ensuring that every mosque operates transparently and harmoniously under community supervision.
This initiative marks a historic milestone for Punjab, combining digital transformation, transparency, and community participation to ensure that mosques continue to serve as centers of peace, guidance, and unity.
New Vision for Mosque Administration
During the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, senior officials of the Auqaf Department, Home Department, and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) briefed her on the progress made toward digitizing mosque data and establishing transparent management structures.
The Chief Minister stressed that mosques must reflect unity, discipline, and moral leadership in society. She noted that Punjab’s mosques are not only places of worship but also serve as centers of community learning, peace, and interfaith harmony.
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The meeting concluded with the approval of a plan to form Mosque Management Committees in all districts. These committees will comprise local religious scholars, community elders, civil society members, and representatives from district administration.
Mosques Declared as Public Trusts
Punjab government officials confirmed that the administration of mosques has been transformed into a public trust system. This change will ensure that funds, donations, and stipends are handled transparently and used only for mosque maintenance and welfare.
Under this system, the Auqaf Department will provide technical oversight, while local committees will directly manage day-to-day operations. These include cleanliness, discipline, event coordination, and ensuring that sermons promote unity and respect among communities.
The provincial government also emphasized that this initiative is in line with Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s broader vision of “Peaceful and Prosperous Punjab”, ensuring that religious institutions contribute to social cohesion rather than division.
Historic Digital Mapping Completed
A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement that the complete digital mapping of mosques and seminaries in Punjab has been completed. Officials revealed that data from 56,000 mosques and 20,863 religious seminaries has been successfully compiled, verified, and geo-tagged.
Each mosque and seminary is now registered in a centralized digital database that includes details such as location, capacity, Imam’s name, management structure, and ownership record. This digital system, developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), aims to eliminate duplication, fraud, and mismanagement in the religious affairs sector.
According to officials, this is the first time in Punjab’s history that such a comprehensive digital record of religious institutions has been created, reflecting the government’s focus on transparency and modernization.
Imam Registration and Stipend Disbursement
The Punjab government has also finalized the registration process for mosque Imams, ensuring that every registered Imam will soon start receiving their official stipends through a transparent banking system.
Special registration counters have been established in every tehsil office, supervised by the Assistant Commissioner. These counters facilitate both manual and online registration, allowing Imams from all districts to register conveniently.
Once registration is complete, the stipend will be transferred directly to the Imam’s bank account within a few weeks, ending delays that have persisted for years.
Table: Step-by-Step Process for Imam Registration & Stipend
| Step | Details | Responsible Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit Tehsil Auqaf Counter or Online Portal | Auqaf Department |
| 2 | Submit Registration Form with CNIC & Mosque Details | Assistant Commissioner |
| 3 | Verification of Credentials | District Administration |
| 4 | Approval of Stipend | Auqaf Directorate |
| 5 | Direct Bank Transfer of Stipend | Punjab Finance Department |
Officials said the move reflects Maryam Nawaz’s vision for digital governance, ensuring that the religious community receives timely financial support.
Role of Mosque Management Committees
The newly established Mosque Management Committees will be responsible for all essential mosque affairs. Their roles will include:
- Supervising maintenance, electricity, and water supply.
- Ensuring peace and discipline during sermons and gatherings.
- Encouraging community welfare and interfaith harmony.
- Monitoring Imam stipends and mosque expenditures.
- Coordinating with local administration to prevent misuse of religious spaces.
These committees will work closely with the Punjab Auqaf Department, ensuring that every mosque follows provincial guidelines for peace, security, and transparency.
Auqaf Department’s Ongoing Responsibilities
Currently, the Auqaf Department directly manages 284 mosques across Punjab, while 47 others are supervised independently by community Imams. The department will continue to oversee these institutions and expand digital oversight to every district.
Authorities also shared that the government is considering an increase in Imam stipends, recognizing their vital contribution to religious education and community service.
Crackdown on Illegal Activities and Peace Measures
The meeting also discussed ongoing security and administrative measures. Officials informed the Chief Minister that 64 individuals have been arrested for renting out properties to illegal Afghan nationals, and cases have been filed against three factory owners found to be running businesses with undocumented Afghan workers.
Over 45,000 locations across Punjab have been inspected to ensure compliance with the law. The government reaffirmed that maintaining peace and security remains a top priority while mosque reforms move forward.
Table: Punjab Government’s Recent Mosque & Peace Initiatives
| Initiative | Progress / Outcome |
|---|---|
| Mosque Committees | Formation initiated in all districts |
| Imam Registration | In final phase, both online and manual |
| Digital Mapping | 56,000 mosques & 20,863 seminaries tagged |
| Stipend Payments | To begin within weeks via direct bank transfer |
| Illegal Residence Checks | 45,000+ locations inspected, 64 arrests made |
Community-Led Religious Harmony
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that the spirit of unity and brotherhood must prevail in all mosques. She appreciated the efforts of religious scholars and community elders in supporting the provincial government’s peace agenda.
The Auqaf Department reported that a new era of interfaith harmony has already begun, with mosques serving as platforms for dialogue and cooperation between different communities.
She also emphasized that Punjab’s youth should view mosques as centers of learning, service, and moral strength, urging all districts to implement the initiative with dedication and integrity.
Impact on Local Communities
The new mosque committees are expected to enhance community participation and ensure better coordination with the government. Local residents will have the opportunity to raise concerns, report issues, and suggest improvements through these committees.
This approach will also help in resolving disputes peacefully and ensuring that mosque environments remain free from political or sectarian influences.
The digital record system will make it easier for citizens to verify mosque status, access management details, and confirm whether an Imam is registered and eligible for government stipend — increasing public trust and transparency.
Future Plans
Officials hinted that the Punjab government plans to extend this initiative further by introducing digital dashboards for mosque management. Through these dashboards, district authorities and Auqaf officers will be able to monitor funds, utilities, and sermon schedules in real time.
The government also intends to publish annual reports on mosque administration, providing a transparent account of progress and public spending.
This comprehensive plan demonstrates that Punjab is setting a national example in integrating technology with religious and social administration.
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FAQs About Punjab Mosque Management Committees 2025
Q1. What are Punjab Mosque Management Committees?
These are community-based committees formed to manage mosques in a transparent and organized way under provincial guidelines.
Q2. Who will head these committees?
Each committee will include local scholars, respected community members, and officials from district administration.
Q3. What is the purpose of digital mapping?
Digital mapping records exact locations and details of mosques and seminaries, ensuring accountability and preventing duplication.
Q4. How can Imams register for stipends?
They can register at their nearest tehsil office or through the upcoming Auqaf online portal using CNIC and mosque details.
Q5. When will stipend disbursement start?
Payments are expected to begin within the next few weeks after verification.
Q6. How many mosques have been digitized?
A total of 56,000 mosques and 20,863 seminaries have been geo-tagged and recorded.
Q7. What measures are being taken for peace and security?
More than 45,000 inspections have been conducted; 64 arrests were made for renting to illegal Afghan nationals.
Q8. Will Imam stipends be increased?
Yes, the Punjab government is considering a raise in recognition of their services.
Conclusion – Punjab to Establish Mosque Management Committees Across Province
The Punjab Mosque Management Committees 2025 initiative represents a landmark step toward transparent governance, digital transformation, and social harmony. By combining technology with community participation, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s administration has created a new model of mosque administration that promotes peace, accountability, and inclusivity across Punjab.
From digital mapping to Imam stipends, every element of the plan ensures that mosques continue to play their true role — as centers of guidance, unity, and progress for all citizens of Punjab.
