Turkey Wants Pakistan to Shut Institutions Run by Gulen

Ankara expects Pakistan to close down institutions run by Fethullah Gulen, the US-based religious leader accused of masterminding and backing the botched coup attempt in Turkey last week. “We have called on all friendly countries to prevent activities of this (Gulen’s) group,” Turkish Ambassador Sadik Babur Girgin said at a media briefing on the developments in Turkey after the failed attempt to topple the government. He said the Turkish government had solid evidence that Gulen’s movement was behind the plot.

In Pakistan, Gulen runs a network of about 21 schools and Rumi Forum, an intellectual and intercultural dialogue platform, in addition to having business stakes. His organizations and businesses have been operating in Pakistan for decades. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had said his country would improve relations with not only Russia and Egypt but also with all countries around the Black Sea and Mediterranean.