Abstract
With the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan, the Cold War came to an end and U.S. terminated its interests in the area and left Afghanistan in a hazardous situation. Eventually Afghanistan entered in to a civil war. This was worrisome situation for Pakistan that had been deeply involved in the Afghanistan’s affairs as a front line state during the time of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Using its influence as facilitator and mediator, Pakistan tried to remove differences between all Afghan political factions and bring them to some kind of understanding aimed at ending anarchism in the country and forming an effective government setup in Kabul. The intention of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy was to seek a like-minded setup in Kabul that could provide an assurance of political, economic and strategic partnership to Islamabad. Pakistan’s policy was based on „strategic depth‟ concept that could make Pakistan’s western border quiet and provide a save trade route for Pakistan’s goods to Central Asia. Though Pakistan succeeded for establishment of Taliban rule, it could not achieve the particular objectives. This article is an attempt to explore the efforts of Pakistan to bring Taliban militia in power and its fallouts employed for Pakistan’s image on international level .The US had its reservations and concerns over rise of Taliban militia. Pakistan’s narrative for upholding Taliban militia did not convince US government. Article also traces the US concern and policy of discounting Taliban. American policy towards Taliban was circumscribed by the unreceptive approach of US civil society towards Taliban’s human rights violations and specially treatment to women as well as Taliban’s links with Al-Qaeda.