This book provides a detailed and analytical study of Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan in the post–Cold War era, culminating with the events surrounding the US withdrawal on 15 August 2021. Despite decades of diplomatic engagement, strategic maneuvering and security-driven priorities, Pakistan’s Afghan policy remained less effective than intended. Drawing upon extensive research, the book investigates the structural, political, and strategic factors that prevented Pakistan’s approach from bringing durable peace to its western frontier. It assesses key policy decisions, regional dynamics, and the complex interplay of global and local influences that shaped Pakistan’s posture over the years. In its concluding chapter, the book sets out practical, well-reasoned, and forward-looking recommendations. These suggestions offer policymakers a constructive path towards building more stable, peaceful, and mutually beneficial relations with Afghanistan in the years ahead.