1

I got mine in Islamabad in late March or early April this year. It was still a 3 day turn around and they hold onto the passport. Apart from the long lines, its a simple process.

2

I think, Peshawar is a better place for that.

Ciao,

3

I'm pretty certain westerners are not getting it in Peshawar and are redirected to Islamabad.

4

That's also my understanding, as of this year. Are there any reports of recent applications for a vidda there?

5

Here's my experience at the Islamabad embassy on Thursday 29 Nov 2012.

Arrived at 9.10 am. Woman at the security desk asked for my passport, passport photo and photocopy of my passport. She bundled these with an application form stamped with that day's date and gave them back. I had to leave my mobile phone and bag at the security desk.

I joined the line in the holding pen, all men sitting together on a bench. I was 10th at that stage. The line grew steadily longer, and the group laughed at the guard's good-natured rejections of later arrivals who tried to push to the head of the queue.

At about 9.50, the guard went along the line asking for 'Afghani', 'Americani', and some other classification of applicant. One Afghan stood up, and two Pakistanis, and I asked 'Australian?' and was accepted by the guard. I received some good-natured chiding by others for queue-jumping ('you stood up so quickly!') and I agreed and said I was embarrassed.

The four of us were sent through to wait at the consular window and arranged in that strict order. When my turn came, in addition to the documents mentioned above I handed over photocopies of an older visa and the front-page passport details. The official asked me which day I was travelling -- I said Monday, and he told me to come back at 2pm Friday for collection. So 24-hour turnaround in this case.

Some other notes: The tourist visa issued in Islamabad is now $50 (up from $30 in 2009), a transit visa is $30. You must use the form supplied at the security desk. Take with you a photocopy of your passport's bio pages, and copies of anything else that might help your application. You need to supply an address in Afghanistan, so also have the name and address of a hotel ready. And take a reliable pen so you can complete the form while waiting in the queue. Only the earliest arrival get a seat, and there is nothing to use as a writing platform in the holding area.