Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) Jobs 2026 – Assistant Director Legal & Sub Inspector IT | Apply Before May 8

The Government of Punjab, through the Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, has officially announced vacancies in the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) for two highly specialized positions: Assistant Director (Legal) and Sub Inspector (IT/AI). A total of 48 posts are available, and the last date to apply is May 8, 2026.

These are contract positions initially for three years — extendable based on performance — with some of the most competitive lump-sum salary packages in Punjab’s public sector right now.

Let’s break down every detail you need to apply with confidence.

What Is the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force?

Before you apply for any job, it helps to understand the organization you are joining.

Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) was formally launched in 2025 by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as a dedicated, specialized agency under the Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department. Its primary mandate is to combat drug trafficking, narcotics distribution, and organized crime linked to the drug trade across Punjab.

At its launch, the CNF received over 12,000 applications for its first recruitment cycle, with 850 personnel selected through a rigorous process. The force trained its first batch at the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Academy in Rawalpindi, and CNF stations and regional directorates are now operational in all divisions of Punjab.

This is not a routine department posting. CNF operates at the frontline of Pakistan’s drug enforcement effort — which means the work is meaningful, the environment is professional, and the career trajectory is distinct from a regular civil service role.

Available Posts — CNF Jobs 2026

Both posts are open to male and female candidates with a Punjab domicile. Posting will be anywhere in Punjab.

Salary — What Does Lump-Sum Actually Mean?

Both positions offer lump-sum pay packages — which means the amount is fixed and all-inclusive. There are no separate allowances added on top, but there are also no deductions the way a regular BPS salary works.

Rs. 273,132 per month for Assistant Director (Legal) and Rs. 185,820 per month for Sub Inspector (IT/AI) are significantly above the standard BPS equivalents for similar roles in Punjab’s regular civil service. This is a deliberate policy to attract qualified legal and IT professionals who would otherwise opt for private sector salaries.

For context, a regular government BPS-17 officer starts at roughly Rs. 65,000 to 75,000 per month — less than a quarter of what CNF is offering for the Assistant Director post. The pay premium reflects the specialized nature of the work and the contract-based structure.

Eligibility Criteria — Position by Position

Assistant Director (Legal) — Eligibility

Education:

LLB degree or equivalent with minimum second division from an HEC-recognized university.

Experience — Option A:

5 years of practice as an Advocate in the High Court, with preferably 2 years of experience working with government agencies or law firms.

Experience — Option B:

3 years of practice as an Advocate in the High Court, provided you hold a postgraduate degree in law (LLM or equivalent). Again, preferably 2 years’ experience with government agencies or law firms is preferred.

Age Limit:

• Male applicants: 30 to 40 years (with 5-year relaxation = up to 45 years considered in some cases)
• Female applicants: 30 to 40 years (with 8-year relaxation noted)

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Sub Inspector (IT/AI) — Eligibility

Education:

16 years of education in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent with minimum second division from an HEC-recognized university. This means a 4-year BS degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field.

Experience Requirements (all three are required):

• Minimum 1 year of experience working in IT projects including network administration or database management in a reputed institution.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in network protocols, network architecture, and security.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in AI, image processing, object detection, image segmentation, cybersecurity frameworks, and threat mitigation.

Age Limit:

• Male applicants: 24 to 30 years (with 5-year relaxation)
• Female applicants: 24 to 30 years (with 6-year relaxation, up to 38 years maximum)

Written Test — Syllabus and Format

All candidates must appear in a 100-mark MCQ-based written test of 90 minutes duration. Tests and interviews will be held in Lahore.

Assistant Director (Legal) — Test Syllabus

25% — General Section:
General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Current Affairs, Islamic Studies, English, Urdu, Everyday Science, Basic Mathematics, Basic Computer Studies.

75% — Law and Legislation Section:

• The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973
• Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025
• Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997
• Qanoon-e-Shahadat Ordinance, 1984
• Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC)

If you are an advocate, you likely already know the PPC and CrPC well. The key area to prepare specifically is the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025 — this is a newly enacted provincial law and it will feature heavily in the test.

Sub Inspector (IT/AI) — Test Syllabus

25% — General Section:
General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Current Affairs, Islamic Studies, English, Urdu, Everyday Science, Basic Mathematics.

75% — Technical Section:

• Network Administration and Database Management
• Network Protocols, Architecture and Security
• Artificial Intelligence, Image Processing, Object Detection, Image Segmentation
• Cybersecurity Framework and Threat Mitigation

How to Apply — Step by Step

The application process for CNF Punjab Jobs 2026 is entirely offline. Online applications are not accepted for these posts. Here is exactly what to do:

Important Rules and Conditions

Read these carefully. Ignoring any one of them can cost you your candidature.

• No relaxation on any criteria. Age, education, and experience requirements are absolute. There is no case-by-case exception.
• Equivalence certificate is mandatory if you claim your qualification is equivalent to the prescribed requirement. The certificate must be issued by HEC or another competent authority.
• Affidavit required at interview stage. Candidates shortlisted for interview must submit a sworn affidavit stating they are not nominated, involved, or wanted in any criminal case or FIR. A false affidavit leads to permanent disqualification and legal action.
• Fake credentials = legal action. If your educational documents, CNIC, domicile, or any other certificate is found forged or unverified at any stage — even after joining — your recruitment will be cancelled and a criminal case will be registered against you.
• Government employees need an NOC. If you are currently employed in a government or semi-government organization, you must submit your application through proper channel with a No Objection Certificate from your department before the closing date. Applications without NOC from government employees will be rejected.
• No TA/DA for any stage. The department will not pay any travel or accommodation expenses at any stage of the selection process — written test, practical test, or interview.
• Test schedule published 7 days in advance. Information about the test and interview schedule will be uploaded on punjabcnf.gop.pk and excise.punjab.gov.pk at least seven days before the scheduled date. Check these websites regularly.
• Department reserves the right to cancel. The department can amend or cancel the recruitment process at any stage without prior notice.

Why These CNF Jobs Are Worth Pursuing

Two things make these positions genuinely attractive beyond the headline salary.

First, the pay packages are exceptional for public sector roles. Rs. 273,132 per month for a legal professional and Rs. 185,820 for an IT specialist are top-tier for contract government jobs in Punjab. Private sector equivalents exist, but government contract roles add stability and institutional backing that private jobs often cannot match.

Second, the work is meaningful. Punjab CNF is a newly formed, high-profile force operating directly under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship anti-drug initiative. The Chief Minister has stated that drugs are reaching schools, universities, and neighborhoods across Punjab — and the CNF exists specifically to stop that. Joining CNF in its early operational phase means you build your career in an institution that is growing, investing, and expanding to the district level.

For legal professionals specifically, working on narcotics prosecution cases under the newly enacted Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025 gives you experience in a cutting-edge area of provincial law that very few advocates currently specialize in.

For IT and AI professionals, working on image processing, object detection, and cybersecurity frameworks within a law enforcement context is genuinely rare career experience in Pakistan’s public sector.

Quick Reference Summary

Contact and Submission Details

Final Word

All information in this article is sourced directly from the official Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) vacancy announcement (IPL-3942) issued by the Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Government of Punjab, and verified public sources as of April 2026. For the most current updates, always refer to punjabcnf.gop.pk and excise.punjab.gov.pk.