Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are multi-dimensional, encompassing political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Because of many unresolved issues, the relationship has been, for the most part, a roller coaster ride. Seldom have the two countries been able to realise and profit from the enormous latent potential of bilateral ties that could have a substantive impact on the lives of their rank and file. It is mind-boggling how, living in such close proximity and sharing such deep historic bonds of affinity, Islamabad and Kabul have failed to develop a better understanding of the perceptions, fears and suspicions in each country that impinge on the formulation of policy affecting their mutual ties.