That is what i was thinking maybe it was just this Istanbul embassie however within the last 12 months i have got 2 tajik and pamir visa at 2 separate occasions in Istanbul with no problems at all so why is the change in policy now? maybe it is at the discretion of who is ever running the embassy in question at the time of visa application ?

but as you said he is not speaking for all embassies his text would say otherwise as he is stating the pamir permit is only available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dushanbe "And about GBAO, permission for that is issued only at the MFA of TJ in Dushanbe, TJ. No consulates or embassies issue it"

i am sure this must be a mistake.

However as for crossing over from Kyzyl Art into Gorno Badakhshan (Pamir) without the permit you will not get in unless you have a permit i am very sure on that.

Why i always state to ask for this GBAO permit when applying for a Tajik visa is i did not when i got my first visa in Bishkek and it was only after a French girl who was also applying for a visa told me if i was going to the Pamir that i must write in big letters GBAO on the application on the section of areas i will be visiting as she said some Americans who did not just got the Tajik visa and got turned back at Kyzyl Art (Pamir border)

the right information
 

We got our visa for Tajikistan in Istanbul in april and the above information is correct. Half an our work nog GBAO.... You need the 50 dollar per person in cash. At the bank is an ATM where you can probably get it from, we already had it with us.
Have a good trip!

GBAO No consulates or embassies issue it. ????

We got it together with our visa last year in Brussel, extra cost 10 USD.

GRTZ,

Jeroen

Well they didn't say it was for all the embassys/consulates the same...
Istanbul consulate just didn't do the GBAO anymore.
It would be easy to get one in Dushanbe, thats not changed.
Cheers,