Rescue changes US outlook on Pak

Washington, Oct. 13: The US is hoping for a positive change in its troubled ties with Pakistan after Islamabad secured the release of an AmericanCanadian family from the clutches of the Haqqani terror network, five years after they were abducted.

American citizen Caitlan Coleman and her Canadian husband Joshua Boyle along with their three children were rescued from the Haqqani network yesterday after an operation by Pakistani forces based on intelligence from the US authorities.

“Let me just say, the Pakistanis — they’re great partners in this regard. They are. I think there’s been a change. Hopefully, there will be a change in the cooperative relationship between the US and Pakistan,” White House chief of staff John Kelly told reporters at a news conference here.

“The good news is that Pakistan officials got the custody of the American citizens, took them into custody and held them for us,” said Mr Kelly.

He said the US administration had made arrangements for the family’s immediate return to either the US or Canada.

“We have also arranged for their medical treatment along the way. A lot of this, of course, would be psychological treatment. They’ve been essentially living in a hole for five years,” he said.

Mr Trump had slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorists groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so.