Crossing from Pakistan to Afghanistan is through Torkham border which is open from 7a.m. to 8 p.m.

This can be done by carpooling or public transport. I traveled during Eid so public transport was closed and no one was traveling. I had to book my own ride which costed 50USD from Islamabad to Torkham border. This usually costs only 16USD per seat.

Carpooling

1. The driver will take you from Islamabad or Rawalpindi to Torkham Border

2. Take a shared car or van to Kabul. These cars are available at all times.

These were the drivers I contacted that provide the service from Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Torkham Border. It is 16USD per seat.

+923115488722 +923035061741 +923005576154 +923078434401 (Akram)

Public Transport

1. Take a bus to Peshawar

2. Take a shared car or van to Torkham Border. These cars are available at all times.

3. Take a shared car or van to Kabul. These cars are available at all times.

IMPORTANT: Before you continue reading the detailed post, please close the page if you intend to promote this article as a warning to others. I am only sharing my personal experience and it is not intended to scare anyone.  In fact, I encourage others to visit Afghanistan with safety measures.

__________________________________________________________________________

The armies and officials at the Torkham Border do not speak English. They only speak Pashto, Farsi or Urdu.

I crossed the border on 22nd August, it was the first day of Eid in Pakistan and second day of Eid in Afghanistan.

There weren’t many travelers during Eid which was a great thing!

I reached the border an hour earlier than expected, so I would have to wait for my pick up from the other side for an hour.

The landscape as I got closer to the border was pretty intense for my experience. I think the driver got a bit spooked as well that’s why he drove 100km/hour on a hairpin road.

As we got closer to the border, I slowly started to wear my abaya, then my scarf, then a face cover.

It was also the driver’s first time to go to the border and he got curious and started asking why I’m going there and where I’m from. I totally understand him.

He pulled up on the border and said “Ma’am, we’re here. This is the border”

I wasn’t sure if I should get off since I am an hour early or wait it out. But then again, it won’t do me any good if I wait it out. I needed to just go ahead and do it.

So I told the driver; “Okay, thank you. Please wait a few minutes.”

I took a deep breath, looked around, and recited Ayat al Kursi. From here on, whatever happens, happens.

I got out of the car and walked in.

First Army: *Speaks in Urdu*

Me: I’m going to Kabul. I have a visa. *Hands over my passport and showed my visa*

First Army: Yemen?

Me: Yes.

First Army: Wait.

Me: Okay.

He went in, did whatever he needed to do and then told me to come.

First X-Ray and body check went smooth.

He escorted me to the Pakistan immigration.

Immigration Officer: Where are you going?

Me: Kabul.

Immigration Officer: Why are you going?

Me: I’m visiting a friend for a few days.

Immigration Officer: You know, it’s a restricted area.

Me: Yes, I know but I have a visa.

Immigration Officer: Okay.

He took my photo, contact details and stamped my passport.

The army then left me after I got the stamp.

Phew. That was easy.

Now comes the Afghani side.

First Army: *Speaks in Farsi*

Me: Kabul *shows my visa*

First Army: Ok.

Second Army: *Speaks Farsi*

Me: Kabul *shows my visa*

Second Army: Farsi? Urdu?

Me: English or Arabic

Second Army: American?

Me: Yemeni.

Second Army: *Called his friend and looked at me from my head to my toe in an uncomforting way*

He was yelling and pushing people around for no reason. He just wanted to show power. I was horrified.

He gave my passport to someone else and asked me to wait.

He kept talking to his friend then asked “Kabul?”

Me: Yes, I have a friend there.

Second Army: Friend girl boy?

Me: Girl. Mariam.

Second Army: Speaks in Farsi to his friend.

I was shaking, my eyes filled with tears and I tried really hard to pull myself together and not show any sign of weakness. I had my face covered except my eyes. I probably should have covered my entire face.

The guy came back who seems to be on a higher level and told me to pass through.

I walked and the Fourth Army pointed me in a direction which was wrong (back to Pakistan). Thankfully the previous guy saw me and showed the right path.

I walked, walked and walked. Finally, the last check before the immigration.

I walked into a room for a body check. The lady asked me questions in Farsi which I couldn’t understand. I just gave her my backpack to check.

She checked my backpack and my body and confirmed to go.

As I continued to walk, suddenly I heard someone yelling and a person in front of me told me to look back.

The lady was yelling at two other armies and pointed at me.

I walked to them and asked, “Is there something wrong or you need?”

She continued to talk to the two armies and they all escorted me to the room and the lady pulled my face cover and I was just in shock.

Thankfully the two male armies knew a few English words and said “It’s okay. Check check.”

I told them “Yes, she checked me already. She can check again”

So she took my backpack again, checked every little thing and the two armies kept telling her “Charger charger, it’s okay, it’s okay” as she went through my cameras, cables, and gadgets.

After she was done, I asked each army there “It’s okay now? Are you sure? I can go?”

They all gave the green light, so I went on.

As I walked to the immigration, there was a little shack selling sim cards which were a jackpot!

I purchased the sim card and called my friend’s aunt and she needed 40 minutes to reach.

I was relieved that I got in touch with her. I waited at the immigration until she arrived.

From then on, everything was fine except for the men standing outside trying to get me to take a ride with them.

These would have probably be very normal if I hadn’t received so many scare talks.

It was mentally challenging more than anything.