Short current report on the route through Baluchistan!
I passed last week on July 3.th from Mirjave / Taftan the border between Iran and Pakistan.
When I arrived at Mirjave on 2 July at 5 pm, I was informed at the last checkpoint that the border had already been closed. I was advised to go back to Zahedan (100 km) and return the next morning. Since I went straight from Bam to the border (400 km) I did not want to go back to Zahedan.
After long discussions and the attempt to escape the police corps to sleep in an old abandoned building I was assigned a place in front of the police station.
The next morning at 7am I was at the border. Exit from Iran and CdP were quickly done. Passport control on the Pakistani side will not start until 8:00. Money change to bad conditions, better already in Kerman (Iran) or if time is also possible in Taftan!
Then I was taken to the Levies Station. The first escort for today was already started at 7:00 am and I should stay here until the next escort the next day. But 1 hour later we found another escort and we were quickly driven to the customs to stamp the CdP. Then we went on the approx. 320 km long stage to Dalbandin. The Levies change about 10 ... 15 times day. The road is good to drive exept for a few places. The Levies are usually very relaxed and friendly, you get water, sometimes tea served or a melon! Driving itself is not a problem, it is rather boring. What is annoying are the many checkpoints and levies changes and that one must register his data 15 ... 20 times in any books. We arrived at about 6:00 pm in Dalbandin and was brought into the only hotel that exists in this nest. Price for a shabby, hot room 1,000 rupee. Food in the hotel was good and cheap. We were not allowed to leave the hotel without police.
The next morning at 7:00 am continue to Quetta. (About 340 km)
Same procedure as on the previous day. Road much better and more beautiful to drive.
On the last 10 km into the town of Quetta, the Levies were changed 5 times and they were much more nervous than before. At each intersection or roundabout, several police or military vehicles are heavily armed. We were taken directly to Hotel Bloom Star. Older hotel with beautiful garden (camping 1,000 rupee) or simple but clean rooms for 2,500 Rupee. Manager was very friendly and helpful.
The next morning, the police arrive at around 10:00 and bring you to the office where you can apply for your NOC. Duration of the NOC exhibition approx. 2 hrs.
Since I wanted to withdraw money, the police escort brought me to an ATM. Then we went back to the Bloom Star Hotel.
Start On day 3 at 9:00 am from Quetta to Sukkur. Long, hot driving day with again many changes of the Levies to the border of Baluchistan, then with provincial police further. In Sukkur I had problems to find a hotel, either they were fully occupied or they don´t want because of missing guards no tourists. After I waited 3 hours at the police station until 9 pm, the Supervisor brought me to a Guesthouse. (Indus Guesthouse)
Day 4 from Sukkur to Multan, the same as the days before!
Day 5 from Multan to Lahore without escort, finally free!
Summarized: nothing to be worried about it; long boring riding days, never felt realy unsafe!
See also a good report for Zahedan – Quetta border crossing (Iran – Pakistan)
Zahedan – Quetta border crossing (Iran – Pakistan) | Caravanistan
Keep going, save riding and enjoy life!