US Urges Taliban to End ‘Hostage Policy’ on 12th Anniversary of Paul Overby’s Disappearance
Mike Waltz, the United States’ permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the Taliban administration to end what he described as a ‘hostage policy’ on the twelfth anniversary of the disappearance of Paul Overby, an American author in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the fate of this American citizen remains unknown after more than a decade.
Paul Overby went missing in 2014 in Khost province, located in eastern Afghanistan. Since then, no verified information or signs regarding his status have been released. Khost, bordering Pakistan, has witnessed the activities of various armed groups over the years.
The U.S. Department of State had previously offered a five million dollar reward for credible information about Overby’s whereabouts or fate. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice added another one million dollars to this amount.
In recent years, Paul Overby’s case has become one of Washington’s key concerns regarding Afghanistan. As the Taliban administration holds control over the country, Overby’s family and American officials continue to demand clarity about his fate and accountability on this matter — an issue that has again highlighted the Taliban’s responsibility toward foreign nationals.
