Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirmed on X that the Trump administration is actively pressing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to release American detainees.

“President Trump has made it clear that the Taliban (IEA) must cease their hostage-taking, or there will be consequences,” Gorka said. “We will not rest until Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi come home.”

The IEA has denied detaining Habibi, who formerly served as head of Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority.

Over the past year, five American detainees have been released from Afghanistan. According to the New York Times, the IEA has demanded the release of the last Afghan prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for freeing two American detainees in Afghanistan.

Former Pakistani diplomats, speaking at a roundtable discussion in Islamabad, underscored the importance of sustained dialogue with Afghanistan to address bilateral differences.

The discussion, organized on Friday by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, highlighted that the current situation in Afghanistan has direct consequences for regional security and stability. Participants stressed that constructive engagement and regular communication are the only viable pathways to resolving existing challenges.

The former diplomats pointed out that relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are deeply interconnected, and any strain between the two sides inevitably impacts the wider region.

They further emphasized that building trust, enhancing practical cooperation, and fostering mutual understanding are essential prerequisites for achieving lasting regional stability.

A UNHCR delegation led by Filippa Candler, Head of UNHCR in Afghanistan, met with Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Pakistan, to discuss ongoing humanitarian assistance and challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The meeting, which also included Charlie Goodlake, Senior External Relations Officer for the UNHCR Commission in Afghanistan, focused on the plight of remaining Afghan refugees, students, and other Afghan nationals living in Pakistan.

Ambassador Shakeeb welcomed the delegation and praised UNHCR for closely monitoring refugees’ living conditions and communicating their situation to the international community. However, he noted that the assistance provided so far remains insufficient.

“Although the support is limited, it is commendable that UNHCR continues to highlight refugees’ hardships,” Shakeeb said during the meeting.

Candler acknowledged the constraints, stating that despite financial limitations, UNHCR remains committed to providing the maximum possible assistance to Afghan refugees.

Goodlake provided an update on UNHCR’s support for returnees, saying the organization delivered approximately $25 million in assistance to refugees returning from Pakistan and Iran in 2025. He confirmed that UNHCR’s support would continue in coordination with the Afghan government.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to continue cooperation and strengthen coordination on refugee and returnee support.