Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - UZ-TJ borders (i + Pakistan

UZ-TJ borders

I’m being told by customs officers in Nukus, Uzbekistan (just across the border from Konye Urgench, Turkmenistan) that only one of the several border posts from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan is open – SARIOSIYO – the one in south Uzbekistan and closest to Dushanbe. They claim that even the popular post between Samarkand and Panchakent is closed. They don’t know why/won’t say why the other posts have closed, though I have heard there’s currently a dispute between the two countries over water (Tajikistan planning a dam for hydroelectricity).

Since you must pre-select your exit post on entry into UZ, I am thus leaving via Sariosiyo – not a problem. I just thought I’d pass it on and see what others had actually seen.

It certainly seems things are tightening up a little in the region. Other bikers have spoken of a fuel shortage in north UZ – north of Nukus towards Kazakhstan: the latter cutting off supplies due to a political dispute. It may have since eased, I don’t know, since I’m heading south to Khiva etc.

And Pakistan. Has anyone recently crossed into the Northern Areas from Tashkurgan, Xinjiang. Is it still possible to get a visa at the border (or in other countries) in light of recent events in Abbottabad? I’m hoping things will have calmed somewhat by the time I think of arriving at Sost around mid-Sept. Maybe they already are calm – if you’re actually there and ignoring the international press, which I tend to.

Cheers,
Bob