$34.5 billion loss to Pakistan

NEW YORK - President Asif Ali Zardari discussed internal and regional issues with world leaders attending the high-level inter-faith meeting on Wednesday topped by a Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Afghanistan summit that focused on situation along the Pak-Afghan border.

The president met with the president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The Summit-involving Saudi King Abdullah, President Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai-was stated to be a part of several moves taking place to stabilise the restive region.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who briefed the press after the hour-long summit meeting, said the three leaders discussed measures to attain peace and stability in the region. He was cautious in giving out any details, saying the initiatives were ongoing and the results would come later.

“It’s a long haul ... progress has been made,” he said. But he added, “It was not a mere get together, it was a meeting between three very serious players, with an agenda to attain peace and stability in the region.”