During his time in Guantanamo, he was consistent and stuck to his cover story about being a rug merchant.[10] Ultimately, he was successful in convincing the American authorities that he was not a Taliban leader and that he did not pose a threat to U.S. interests. As a result, in December 2002, Shahzada was recommended for release. This occurred on 8 May 2003,[11] and he was flown to Kabul.[12] Gul Agha Sherzai, the post-Taliban governor of Kandahar, has said that Afghan offers of help in identifying known Talibans, which might have shown Shahzada's cover story to be false, were repeatedly rejected.[13]