URGENT problem with crossing from Pakistan

[ninonon]

Hey everyone,
i tried crossing to afghanistan from pakistan through Torkham border.
-german passport
-own car
-have carnet de passage
-have afghanistan visa

already on the Pak side of the border i was asked a „permit“ to cross the border by car. got sent back to islamabad where i should get that certain letter in the ministery of interior. now these guys have absolutely no idea what i’m taking about (as well seem to not really care).
thing is my pak visa runs out in a bit. afghanistan is pretty much the only chance to leave the country.

has anyone had a similar or same experience with that „permit“?

[steven]

What happened in the end?

[ninonon]

So:
After a 3 days journey from Torkham to Peshawar to Islamabad i crossed as the first tourist w own vehicle since 5 yrs they mentioned.
You seem to need some “permit” from the Ministery of Interior which has to be given out before by the Ministery of foreign affairs asked by your embassy.
Then in Islamabad NO ONE knows what you want from them. After all I met the right people that then made some contact to the head of customs at Torkham. After 8 hours I could cross!!!

After some surprised but very friendly afghan border guys welcome you. I had to be escorted by them to Jalalabad to a Taliban base and sleep over. Wasn’t the best feeling -but wasn’t the worst. The Taliban are very clear briefed to be courteous to tourists. Still be prepared to answer a shot load of questions. Next morning I was free and made my way to Kabul.

I can recommend Afghnaistan TO MALE travelers. Would not suggest as female and was Glad my girlfriend decided to not join me there…

[traveltoad]

Ninonon, it's fascinating to hear uou did this. I'm from the UK and I'm in Pakistan right now. I bought a motorbike over here and I'm touring the North. I would love to cross into Afghanistan. Please do a trip report, I'd love to know where you went and the security situation.

The only thing putting me off was Jalalabad, and how dangerous it is. The convoy changes everything. Would love to read more.

[traveltoad]

Also, where are you going from Afghanistan? All land borders, other than with Pakistan, are closed.

[jaaf]

So:
After a 3 days journey from Torkham to Peshawar to Islamabad i crossed as the first tourist w own vehicle since 5 yrs they mentioned.
You seem to need some “permit” from the Ministery of Interior which has to be given out before by the Ministery of foreign affairs asked by your embassy.
Then in Islamabad NO ONE knows what you want from them. After all I met the right people that then made some contact to the head of customs at Torkham. After 8 hours I could cross!!!

After some surprised but very friendly afghan border guys welcome you. I had to be escorted by them to Jalalabad to a Taliban base and sleep over. Wasn’t the best feeling -but wasn’t the worst. The Taliban are very clear briefed to be courteous to tourists. Still be prepared to answer a shot load of questions. Next morning I was free and made my way to Kabul.

I can recommend Afghnaistan TO MALE travelers. Would not suggest as female and was Glad my girlfriend decided to not join me there…

They were asking for NOC from Ministery of Interior.
You have to arrange it from the Interior Ministry office in Islamabad 'well before' you go to the Afghan border.

[yamamotoo]

Just for everyone’s information — recently (few days ago) my friend easily received Afghanistan visa in Termiz consulate (Russian passport). However, UZ-AF border was closed — he had to go to Tajikistan and cross to Kunduz (land border there is DEFINITELY open for foreigners). Now he is in Kabul.

[ramon92]

Hello yamamotoo, do you have any idea if that border is open in the opposite direction, from Afghanistan to Tajikistan? Maybe your friend knows?
Thank you for your help