Naser Khan is a 24 year old Afghan studying Medical Sciences at PIHMS in Peshawar.
My name is Naser Khan. I belong to Paktia in Afghanistan. Our family migrated to Pakistan at the time of Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. Since then we are living as refugees in Pakistan. I was born in Kohat, Pakistan. I received my basic education till FSc from Imame Abu Hanifa High School and College. After I completed my FSc, I moved to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for a General Bachelor in Arts. I am now a medical student at Premier Institute of Health and Management sciences (PIHMS) in Peshawar.
I was, however, always interested in going to school. I faced many hardships in this regard but I continued my education regardless. There are all illiterate people in our family except my father. I support good chance that you will not read it in Afghanistan or Pakistan because you have the same opportunity in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, I don’t see any difference between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Whatever people may say, to me both are the same reality. If our bilateral relations improve, it will not only be good for Afghanistan or Pakistan, but for the people of both nations simultaneously and will pave the way towards prosperity. Both share a very long border (about 2600 km) which makes their stakes common. With better relations we can move forward, otherwise we won’t be able to, in my opinion.
My message to both the nations will be to see each other with love.
We have many things in common such as culture, religion and others. So my message would be to educate yourselves. You would know many things if you become educated. As far as I have observed the people who are illiterate, their understanding about everything is very narrow and their living standard too is not up to the level as it should be. I believe there’s no progression without education.
I am very thankful to Afghan Studies Center for offering the chance to share my story and my views on Pakistan and Afghanistan’s relations. I urge my other Afghan friends to come forward and be avail this opportunity to share their feelings as well. I hope in this manner, we can increase awareness and progress towards improvement.
Good luck! 
About Afghan Studies Center: The Afghan Studies Center is an initiative by the Center for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad – an independent and non-profit think tank and advocacy center. One of the primary objectives of the Afghan Studies Center is to serve as a bridge between the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan to interact with each other and join hands to become leaders of change and messengers of peace and cooperation beyond boundaries. To achieve this objective, the Afghan Studies Center invites young Afghans to share their story using our platform with the youth of Pakistan as well as the world.
