The Taliban has quoted Adam Boehler, the U.S. president’s special envoy for hostage affairs, as saying that Washington and the Taliban are preparing for a prisoner exchange.
Boehler, who led a U.S. delegation that included former peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, arrived in Kabul on Saturday, September 13. After meeting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the delegation held talks with Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs.
Baradar argued that U.S. and international sanctions have stalled progress in Afghanistan. He urged Washington to replace confrontation with engagement, take an “active role” in rebuilding the country, and invest across key sectors.
The United States, however, has repeatedly accused the Taliban of practicing “hostage diplomacy.”
According to the Taliban, the American delegation expressed readiness to support Afghanistan’s economy and indicated that Washington is open to investing in the country.
The talks, held at the presidential palace, also addressed Afghanistan’s domestic situation, regional issues, and broader political and economic relations.
Baradar claimed that Afghanistan’s economy, once under threat during the republic, has been improving under Taliban rule. He said corruption and drug trafficking had been curbed, unemployment had declined, and the afghani currency remained stable.
He further claimed that banking, exports, and domestic production have strengthened, national revenue has grown, large projects have begun, and sectors such as industry, trade, and transit have expanded.
Baradar told the U.S. delegation that opportunities exist in Afghanistan’s mining, agriculture, telecommunications, transport, and technology sectors. He also insisted that the Taliban has established “balanced and economy-focused” foreign relations with several countries, supported by simplified investment laws.
According to a Taliban statement, Boehler praised his visit to Kabul, saying both sides had “faithfully implemented” their bilateral agreement. He underscored the importance of expanding engagement between Washington and the Taliban.
