Islamabad, 11 June 2025: Hire Retired Army provisions have been quietly embedded within the latest Finance Bill, granting the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) the authority to contract former military personnel for customs-related duties as part of a broader push to combat smuggling and unlawful trade.
According to the proposed amendments, the FBR will be permitted to recruit retired junior commissioned officers and ex-servicemen from the armed forces on a contractual basis, specifically for roles linked to enforcement operations at customs outposts.
The bill also introduces the concept of Digital Enforcement Stations, which the FBR can establish at designated sites deemed essential for monitoring cross-border movement and curbing the influx of illegal goods. Existing customs checkpoints may also be reclassified under this new digital enforcement model.
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The FBR will be empowered to formulate comprehensive guidelines concerning the structure, staffing, and technological integration of these digital stations, with the goal of enhancing real-time surveillance and trade transparency.
While not overtly publicized, the ability to Hire Retired Army personnel signals a strategic shift in customs enforcement, aligning with national security interests and leveraging the operational discipline of former military staff to bolster border oversight.
The relevant clause in the Finance Bill states that the Board, in accordance with prescribed rules, “may hire retired junior commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces against the available posts of customs on contract for the purpose of this section.”
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Analysts suggest the move could improve enforcement capabilities by bringing experienced field personnel into frontline customs operations, especially at high-risk locations.
This initiative to Hire Retired Army members reflects a growing trend toward integrating military expertise into civilian enforcement efforts, particularly where smuggling networks have proven difficult to dismantle through traditional means.
