US-Canadian family Lalit K JhaWashington, Oct 13 (PTI) Securing the release of anAmerican-Canadian family from an Afghan Taliban-linked groupwould hopefully change the cooperative relationship betweenthe United States and Pakistan, the White House said today.
"Let me just say, the Pakistanis -- they're greatpartners in this regard. They are. I think there's been achange. Hopefully, there will be a change in the cooperativerelationship between the United States and Pakistan," WhiteHouse Chief of Staff, John Kelly, told reporters at a newsconference here.
He was responding to a question on the release of CaitlanColeman, an American citizen, and her husband, Joshua Boyle, aCanadian citizen, along with their three children, from theHaqqani network abductors.
The couple was kidnapped in 2012, in Afghanistan, whileon a backpacking trip. Their three children were born whilethe pair was in captivity.
The hostages were recovered yesterday after an operationby Pakistani forces based on actionable intelligence from theUS authorities.
"The good news is the Pakistan officials got custody ofthe American citizens, took them into custody, (and) held themfor us," said Kelly.
He said the US administration had made arrangements forthe family's immediate return to either the US or Canada.
"We have also arranged for their medical treatment alongthe way. A lot of this, of course, would be psychologicaltreatment," said Kelly.
"They've been essentially living in a hole for fiveyears," he said.
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert alsocredited the Pakistani government for the couple's release.
"We are tremendously happy to have these folks returning,coming home. This could not have happened without theassistance of Pakistan. We are very pleased with thegovernment of Pakistan's response," she said.
Heather said although the relationship between the twonations had its challenges, the latest development was a"start" in the right direction.
"That relationship isn't going to just turn aroundovernight, but this is a terrific step in the rightdirection," she said.
Congressman Scott Perry applauded the efforts by theTrump administration in securing the family's release.
"Today, we celebrate the safe return of Caitlan and herfamily and look forward to their swift return to the UnitedStates," said Perry.
"I speak with Caitlan's parents regularly, and haven'tstopped praying since our first meeting for a positive end tothis nightmare," he said.
Colin Cookman, who coordinates research work on SouthAsia at the US Institute of Peace, said the release of thefamily was a case of close operational cooperation between thetwo nations.
"The release of this family is something the US has beenseeking for a long time. It might provide a short-term openingfor more constructive engagement," he said. PTI LKJ CHTCHT.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.