The Business Trip, pg. 41-67 Summary and Analysis

The mountainous border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan is controlled by the tribes, not by either government. In Pakistan, the government only has authority on twenty yards on either side of paved roads. Sultan travels to Pakistan in the tribal area paths. He rides a saddle-less horse and wears his oldest clothes. When he is past the border area, he will travel by car for the hour ride to Peshawar. He hates to travel this way but the Pakistan border is basically closed to Afghans.

Sultan arrives at the apartment. He and Sharifa discuss the latest news in both countries. According to custom, he has to visit various relatives which he hates to do and he does this the next day after completing some business errands. The day after they visit some distant...