The Taliban called off its participation and a second meeting was canceled.
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At the day-long meeting, representatives of the four countries will discuss ways to move forward the reconciliatory process in Afghanistan, besides deciding schedule, mechanism and timeframe of talks between Kabul and Taliban, sources said.
Pakistan’s adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, told the opening session that the four-nation group will coordinate the peace process between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
But a splinter group headed by Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund, which rejects Mansour’s authority, has dismissed any talks where a mediating role is played by Pakistan, which observers say holds significant sway among Taliban commanders holed up near its border with Afghanistan, or the United States or China.
The rift within the Taliban may also figure as a hurdle in successful reconciliation – but many say this could be just a political ploy because the breakaway Taliban faction is too weak and without a safe sanctuary and resources. “Look at Bamiyan”, he said, referring to the Taliban’s destruction in the summer of 2001 of some of the world’s most precious statues of Buddha.
Increasingly, US aircraft and ground forces have been pulled into battles to prevent Afghan security forces from being defeated by the Taliban.
“The Pakistani government will present the list of Taliban who are willing to talk and those who are not interested in talks”, he added.
The first round of face-to-face talks between Taliban and the Afghan government was held in Pakistan in July but the second round was cancelled after the death of the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, was revealed.
After Aziz’s televised remarks, the meeting proceeded behind closed doors into afternoon hours.
In addition to the armed offensive, there has been a worrying rise in suicide attacks and other acts of violence in Afghanistan, forcing US President Barack Obama to delay the withdrawal of US troops from the country.
Khost is among the relatively volatile provinces in southeastern Afghanistan where anti-government armed militant groups including the notorious Haqqani network insurgents are actively operating in a number of its districts.
As the prospect of a peace dialogue grows, the Taliban can be expected to step up their fight in order to ensure they join any peace dialogue from a position of strength.
According to Faisal, the spokesman: “Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to the Taliban fighters, including in Quetta and Peshawar”.
The advisor said Pakistan, Afghanistan and China are three close neighbours having common interests and stakes in promoting peace and development in the region.
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Terms for the upcoming meeting were finalised last month during a visit to Kabul by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif, Faisal said.
