Zabih Ullah is a student of MPhil Sociology at International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and currently working as a Research Intern at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) under the Afghan Studies Center internship program, since July 02, 2018.
I am a 26 year old Afghan, born in an Afghan Refugee Camp in district Dir (Lower), Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan. I, originally, belong to district Archi, Kunduz Province, Afghanistan.
I have spent my entire life in Pakistan. My parents migrated to Pakistan in 1979 during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
My schooling started in Afghan Refugee School, but keeping in view the better standard of regular Pakistani schools, my elder brother enrolled me in a regular Pakistani school where I scored 630/900 marks in Matriculation. This was the time when my family was facing financial problems, which compelled me to run a small cold-drinks shop in order to earn some money to support myself and my family.
As I had scored good marks in matriculation, I was eligible to secure admission in reputed colleges of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. However, the unstable economic condition of my family restricted my plans to pursue education in any reputed college. I ended up receiving my Secondary School Certificate from Government Higher Secondary School Munda Dir (Lower). Later, I applied for BS Geology in Bacha Khan University, Mardan and BS Agriculture in University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. My name appeared in merit lists of both the universities. Unfortunately, I had to back out again as my family had to pay for the tuition of my elder two brothers who were already availing higher education. My family could not afford the education expenses of one more child at that time.
So, I decided to go to Afghanistan to find a job for myself. Luckily, I got hired at a construction company where I worked for almost three years. Later, when I could afford to finance my education, I got admission in Bachelors of Sociology at Malakand University as a private candidate and then, moved to Pakistan to continue my education as a regular student. I completed my Masters in Sociology from Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and now, I am enrolled in MPhil Sociology at International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI). I believe it has been a long journey for me.
As Pakistan has hosted a large number of Afghan refugees, who are presently numbered at around 2 million, my family has spent about four decades in Pakistan. I will not be wrong to claim that Pakistan is my second home; I learnt many good things here which help me in my everyday life.
My entire education was in the educational institutes of the Government of Pakistan and I must say that I never faced any problem at any stage due to my Afghan identity. All my teachers were very cooperative and friendly and treated me as a guest. I have more Pakistani friends than Afghans. I still remember, once at Abdul Wali Khan University, one of my teachers named Muhammad Bilal called me to his office and advised me to put in extra effort because Afghanistan needs young Afghan minds to serve their homeland in the best possible manner.
Overall, I have good experience in Pakistan and consider the migration of my family to Pakistan as good luck for me. Pakistan is not an alien country to us. We have the same norms, values and religion. If I moved to Iran instead of Pakistan, I may not be the person I am now, where Afghans are just restricted to the refugee camps.
Pakistan gave opportunities to more than 6000 Afghan students to study in Pakistan by giving them scholarships and self-finance schemes. Pakistan assisted Afghan students in the education sector to develop their skills, so that they can work for the progress, prosperity, and stability of their country and the region. It is our sincere desire to serve Afghanistan in various fields after completing our education in order to compensate for the sufferings of Afghans since the last few decades of the Afghan war.
We are thankful to Pakistan for providing the Afghan refugees facilities and opportunities which are the same as those given to Pakistani students. I strongly believe that Afghan students, studying in Pakistan, can define the future relationship with Afghanistan and such exchanges would develop closer links. Seeking education is the only way forward for Pakistan and Afghanistan to address their issues.
My message to the youth of both countries is to think positively and clear all misunderstanding which is created by only a few ill-intentioned people. It is the duty of the youth to play a positive role to bring both the nations closer. We have the same religion, culture and some same blood relations too. We are Muslims and according to the saying of our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), “one Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. We must like the things for our brothers which we like for ourselves”. Pakistan and Afghanistan are like brothers and should like so. 
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.
© Copyright Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
