Pakistan expels Turkish teachers as Erdogan arrives Islamabad

The Pakistani government said it would expel over 100 teachers from schools allegedly run by a rebel Turkish cleric as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday. More than 100 teachers from the Pak-Turk group of schools and colleges, a chain linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, have been asked to leave the […]

The Pakistani government said it would expel over 100 teachers from schools allegedly run by a rebel Turkish cleric as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday.

More than 100 teachers from the Pak-Turk group of schools and colleges, a chain linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, have been asked to leave the country by this weekend, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said.

The Erdogan administration blames Gulen for an attempt by the military to stage a coup in July this year, and has demanded his extradition from the United States.

“We have asked over 400 people (108 teachers and their family members) to leave the country,” said ministry spokesman Sarfraz Hussain.

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey have strengthened in recent years. Both countries closely collaborate with and mutually support each other at regional and international forums.

“Our defence relations would further strengthen in the coming days,” President Erdogan said during a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain, an official statement said.

During the meeting, Hussain thanked Erdogan for supporting Pakistan’s case for membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), it added.

Erdogan is also scheduled to address Pakistan parliament on November 17 and visit the eastern city of Lahore.

Erdogan launched a massive crackdown against his opponents in the wake of the July coup and Pakistani officials say he may seek support for his actions, which have been sharply criticized by Western nations. (DPA)