Turkey’s justice min. phones his Pakistani counterpart

By Islamuddin Sajid and Semih Ugurlu

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Turkey’s justice minister phoned his Pakistani counterpart on Monday to express his appreciation for the country’s top court ruling on FETO, the terror group behind the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, an official said.

In a phone call to Pakistan’s Law and Justice Minister Farogh Naseem, Turkey’s Aldulhamit Gul thanked Pakistani government for its help to designate Fetullah Terrorist Organization a "terrorist outfit" following top court verdict.

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the government to declare the FETO a terror group and to ban its affiliated schools in the country

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara 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.

Turkish minister welcomed Pakistan top court verdict to declare FETO and its linked foundation as a terror outfit and to hand over the FETO-linked schools and other education institutions to Turkiye Maarif Foundation

"This court verdict, which we consider as the manifestation of mutual cooperation based on strong bonds between the two brotherly countries, should set a precedent for all countries," he said.

Gul also congratulated Naseem for assuming his office as law and justice minister of Pakistan in the cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Naseem, for his part, thanked Gul for his courteous call and said Pakistan would always stand by Turkey.

"Pakistan and Turkey enjoy strong relations and our new government would further strengthen these ties," Naseem told Gul over phone.

Turkish minister also invited Naseem to visit Turkey.