Chapter 14, Flight & Epilogue Summary and Analysis

Bilquis is able to cope with several Pakistani laws that could have prevented her and Mahmud from leaving. One problem she faces is that per Pakistan laws, a traveling citizen can take only a limited amount of his or her money abroad. After Bilquis and her son do some calculations, they arrive at the fact that Bilquis and Mahmud will be allowed to take only $750 dollars between them—hardly enough for the two of them for four months! Luckily, a friend is able to make special arrangements for the wire transfer to another friend for funds that will be adequate for Bilquis and her grandson.

Another Pakistani law requires that any citizen leaving the country must provide a certification that their taxes and fees for properties and incomes are up to date. Bilquis has no problem...