Freeing of hostages in Pakistan a ‘positive sign’

TAMPA, Fla: The freeing of a kidnapped US-Canadian couple and their three children in Pakistan is a positive sign and a recognition of how seriously Islamabad takes the protection of American citizens, a senior US military official said.

“We are very appreciative for the efforts of the Pakistani military in helping effect the securing of our American hostages that have been held there, and a Canadian citizen, for quite some time,” said General Joseph Votel. As head of US Central Command, Votel oversees US forces in the Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan.

“It is a positive sign that they (recognised) the importance, they (recognised) the opportunity, they acted quickly and very responsibly to get control of these persons and begin to effect their return,” Votel told reporters. He added that he had spoken with Pakistan’s chief of Army Staff.

American Caitlan Coleman and her Canadian husband, Joshua Boyle, along with their children born in captivity, were freed nearly five years after the couple was abducted in neighbouring Afghanistan by the Taliban-allied Haqqani network, which the United States has long accused Pakistan of failing to fight. — Reuters