US presses Taliban to free hostages

The US President's Special Representative for Prisoner Affairs, Adam Boehler, accompanied by former Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, has delivered a stern message to the Afghan regime in Kabul, saying "Release all American hostages in Afghanistan soon or face serious consequences".

The US delegation, led by Boehler and assisted by Khalilzad along with other members from Washington, arrived in Kabul on Friday evening.

According to sources, Washington's message warned that failure to release US citizens could result in renewed travel bans and the reinstatement of Afghan officials on international blacklists.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi confirmed that the message would be conveyed to Kandahar authorities, with particular emphasis on US citizen Mehmood Shah Habibi.

Afghan General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) members had abducted Habibi, who had previously been in the custody of slain al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

During talks, the Taliban delegation, led by Muttaqi, met with the US team to discuss bilateral relations, detainee issues, and extended condolences for the victims of recent earthquakes in Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces. Both sides underlined the importance of continuing dialogue and normalising ties.

Later on Saturday, Boehler also met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund at the Presidential Palace (ARG) Discussions focused on Afghanistan's security situation, regional developments, and political and economic relations.

Addressing the prisoners' issue, Boehler said both countries would move forward with exchanges.