The president said Turkey was always and would remain a partner of Pakistan come what may. President Erdogan said, “Turkey and Pakistan have learnt to be together during happy, sad and even tough times”. “When militants attacked Army Public School in Peshawar, we observed a day of mourning in Turkey,” he added while recalling the tragic incident in the history of Pakistan.
On July 15, when Turkey faced a failed coup, President Erdogan said, “Pakistan send a clear message in our support and against the enemies of Turkey” and thanked the Pakistani government for its support. He said once again that Fethullah Gulen – US-based self-exiled cleric – was leading a terrorist organisation in at least 120 countries worldwide.
President Erdogan urged Pakistan to dismantle Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto) networks on its soil, if any, before they start posing a threat to its security.
Erdogan said other terror organisations such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) were working against Muslims and added, “Muslim nations in unison could defeat those evil forces from harming unarmed people and maligning Islam internationally.” He said those terror outfits, clearly being funded by the west; do not represent Islam or Muslims.
One to one meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/dyWExFnsvu
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) November 17, 2016
The Turkish President said that in a bid to fight terrorist organisations, Pakistan and Turkey must improve cooperation through investments in each other’s countries.
Also read: Erdogan's visit to Lahore: Roads adjoining Fort remain closed from 3pm to 10pm
He said the entire Pakistani nation regardless of political affiliations was unanimous in expressing support and solidarity for Turkey's elected government and democratic institutions. He said people of Turkey wrote a new chapter in the annals of history and democracy.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced the Turkish government is determinedly taking on what he termed the Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto).
He said, "We are in the process of warning all of our friends and countries across the globe with whom we have solidarity" against Feto ─ what Turkey calls an alleged terrorist organisation headed by US-based self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen who President Erdogan accuses of instigating a botched coup to remove him from office earlier this year.
Welcome ceremony with guard of honour accorded to #Turkish President @RT_Erdogan at PM House #Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/nAYMBYeD8B
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) November 17, 2016
Pakistan had earlier promised Turkey it would look into the affairs of the Pak-Turk education network that Ankara wanted shut down for its alleged links with Gulen.
The Pakistan government’s move to order expulsion of the Turkish staff of Pak-Turk Schools by Nov 20, which are allegedly run by Gulen's network from the country ahead of Erdogan’s trip reminded everyone here about the coup attempt and domestic challenges confronting his government.
"It is now certain that behind the [July 15] coup attempt we have the Gulenist terrorist organisation and its leader residing in Pennsylvania," Erdogan alleged.
"It is necessary to dismantle this evil network... The terrorist organisation is a threat to the security and public order of Pakistan," he claimed.
The Turkish president claimed Feto "has been hiding behind the facade of acceptable concepts and terms such as delivering service, education and dialogue... But we saw on July 15 that they would not refrain from aany methods, including bloodshed to gain their purposes."
"They have undertaken infiltration operations aimed against the Turkish armed forces, the Turkish police force, the juidiciary and different levels of ministries by using and hiding behind these innocent concepts."
"An on that night, these people carried out... all the heinous acts that you can imagine by utilising taxpayers' money," he claimed.
Read more: Pakistan, Turkey agree to boost bilateral relations in divers fields
"They bombarded the national assembly of Turkey, the presidential complex, the headquarters of special forces. They bombed civilians. On that night, we had 248 martyrs and 2,193 veterans," he claimed. "But our nation took ownership of its independence... and democracy."
"The recent development in solidarity and support has been the decision to ask Pak-Turk staff to leave by Nov 20," Erdogan said. "This organisation will find no shelter in Pakistan."
Delegation level talks between Pak-Turk delegates underway. pic.twitter.com/LFVPRY8ltJ
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) November 17, 2016
"The students in the Pak-Turk schools will be taken care of the to the highest standards thanks to joint cooperation" between Pakistan and Turkey, Erdogan claimed.
"I am thankful for the solidarity demonstrated by the Pakistani administration on this matter... And for their decisive stance against this organisation," Erdogan said today.
"Some columnists in Pakistani newspapers were underlining or making innocent statements or remarks but they are not welcomed by us," the Turkish president said.
PM Nawaz and Turkish President Erdogan addressed a joint press conference following a one-on-one meeting and delegation-level talks in the capital.
'Keeping close eye on LoC tension'
Turning his attention on the issue of Kashmir, he said, “Increasing violence in Kashmir was saddening” and urged Pakistan and India to sit and discuss the issue.
After his address to the parliament, President Erdogan met parliamentarians and dignitaries one by one along with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In today’s session, provincial governors and chief minister, heads of the Pakistan armed and representations from varying political parties including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and others, except Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were also present.
