Extend a foreign vehicle’s CPD Retention Period in Islamabad

Extending a foreign vehicle’s CPD Retention Period in Islamabad is not too difficult, but it does help to know what to bring, where to go, and who to talk to.

Sounds obvious, but after multiple emails with 1 clerk in Lahore, my only contact at that point, I was still none the wiser.

with the following information you'll save yourself time and $300 dollars that a lawyer wanted to charge me for the service.

First you need to write a letter of request addressed to the department, stating who you are, when you arrived, what vehicle and how you will exit the country. Here is an example of the text:

Dear Sir

I am Tim Jules Hull, UK Citizen, UK Passport 000000000 expiry 2029-06-10. I entered Pakistan at Wagah border with 90-day Multiple Entry Tourist Visa: 00000000000 on 2024-01-11 driving my Triumph Thunderbird 900 motorcycle, Registration X556 MGJ, Chassis Number: SMTTC000JGY000000, Engine Number: 000000, under Carnet de Passage Number: Des0000000 expiry 2024-09-27.

I intend to exit Pakistan via the Sost/Khunjerab Pass border, into China, which is currently closed for the winter season. I am currently arranging a tour guide in China to accept myself into a group of other motorists expected to commence between May & June.

Therefore, I am requesting your office to extend the Retention Period of my vehicle for an additional 90 days thus allowing me to complete my passage out of Pakistan safely.

Thank you for considering my request.

Yours sincerely,

Before you go make sure you have copies of the following documents:

• Letter of Request
• Passport Identity Page
• Passport Immigration Entry Stamp
• Passport Customs Retention Period Stamp
• Visa Grant Notice
• Carnet de Passage en Douane Front Page
• Carnet de Passage en Douane Entry Stamp

I made colour copies, but I don't think that is required.

It might be worth making a call to check on opening times as these change, but more imprtantly to let the head of the department know you are coming. It's worth doing this because you are less likely to be asked for a gift from underlings.

• Fazil Sumad
• Tel: +92519205694

Then take all this to the following address:

• Secretary  L&P
• FBR Head Office
• Room 206 or 219
• Opp Supreme Court Of Pakistan, Constitution Ave, G-5/2 G-5,
• Islamabad, 44000,
• Pakistan

https://maps.app.goo.gl/d7Y9uE9ynR6rL5ce8?g_st=ic

It's opposite the Supreme Court of Pakistan, another major landmark to help you find it.

The security are very curteous and make friendly chit chat:

"So what do you think of Pakistan?" they ask

"Everyone is so kind and welcoming" I say

"You can't trust those ones, they are trying to trick you" they reply

The head of department is in room 206 and the assistant is in room 219. When I visited, the head of department was at afternoon prayers in the local mosque, but the assistant was ready to see me, even during Ramadan. His office is a trove of paperwork, without much space on his desk for anymore.

The assistant shuffled through my colour copies and asked:

"Fo you have copies of these documents?"

"Those are the copies" I perplexedly offered

"Your documents are all in order" he found

There was a long pause.

"Soooo...?" I uttered

"We will need a week."

Another long pause.

"I should come back in a week?"

Another very long pause.

"You have my boss' number ?" he prompted

"Yes I called yesterday."

"I know I was there when you called." he noted

Another long pause.

"So I should call back in a week"

A final long pause.

"Yes, call back in a week"

Nothing more was said. What were all those long pauses about I wondered. Was he considering if he could risk asking for a gift, but thought better of it for having a direct line to the boss. Who knows?

1 week later and the paperwork had been processed. They don't stamp or write anything on the carnet, but instead give you a letter stating a new expiration date:

Done.