The leaders of Afghanistan and Iran arrived in Pakistan Thursday for talks focusing on efforts to facilitate peace with the Afghan Taliban.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss a range of issues including expanding relations, economic ties and anti-terror cooperation.

He is also scheduled to meet with Maulana Sami ul Haq, who is known as the spiritual father of the Taliban.

The trilateral meeting comes as U.S. and Afghan officials prepare for peace talks with the insurgent groups.

Pakistan is seen as a key player in that process because of its historical ties to the Taliban. Many of the Afghan insurgent group's leaders are believed to be based there.