Afghanistan hosts Pakistan, China for wide-ranging talks

It is the second such meeting of the three neighboring countries. (File/AFP)

• Envoys meeting will discuss everything from regional economic development to counterterrorism
• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is attending the meeting

KABUL: Afghanistan, Pakistan and China are meeting in the Afghan capital to discuss trade, development and ending the region’s relentless conflicts.
Shahussain Murtazawi, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan president, says envoys meeting Saturday will discuss everything from regional economic development to counterterrorism. It is the second such meeting of the three neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is attending the meeting on his second visit to Kabul since assuming office. Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of failing to combat the Taliban and other militant groups that operate along their porous border.
China has lent tens of billions of dollars to Pakistan and the two have forged close economic ties as part of Beijing’s “One Belt, One Road” policy of expanding trade links across Asia.