Pakistan feels Turkey's sorrow caused by defeated coup

By Seyit Ahmet Eksik

TRABZON, Turkey (AA) - Pakistani people feel Turkey's sorrow caused by last year’s July 15 defeated coup, Pakistani Commerce Minister Muhammad Pervaiz Malik said on Tuesday.

Malik, who is also chairman of Pakistan-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, is on a two-day visit to northeastern Trabzon city where he also met ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker Muhammet Balta.

Every person in Pakistan felt the July 15 failed coup as if it was an attack on them, the minister told Anadolu Agency.

He praised the Turkish people for coming out on the streets at the call of their leader and facing tanks with their bare hands.

He said the event demonstrated the quality of the Turkish leadership to the world.

The minister also said Pakistan was taking steps against Fetullah Terrorist Organization’s (FETO) schools in the country.

“All necessary things were done by the government of Pakistan to ensure very pure type of education,” he said, adding that the government was working towards “complete satisfaction” of the Turkish government.

He said many teachers of FETO schools had already been dismissed in Pakistan.

“There are some [who have not been dismissed] only because of the court orders; Inshallah [God willingly] things will be okay in a few days.”

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.