Feto a threat to Pakistan’s security
Kashmir issue should be resolved in line with UN resolutions:
ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused the Western nations of ‘supporting terrorists’ and said the weapons recovered from the terrorists were made in Western countries.
Addressing the joint session of the parliament on the second day of his visit to Pakistan, the Turkish President said terrorist organizations are bringing bad name to the Islam, which religion of peace and also to the Islamic world.
‘Terrorist organizations like Daesh and Al-Qaeda are inflicting damage only on Muslim countries. Turkey will continue campaign against terrorist groups. It is the responsibility of every country to root out the menace of terrorism,’ the Turkish President said.
Erdogan, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on his first visit after the failed coup in July, lauded Pakistan support during the frustrated coup. He accused the exiled Turkish leader, Fateullah Gullen, of masterminding the failed coup.
‘Fateullah Gullen, while sitting in Pennsylvania, is dreaming to rule the entire world,’ he said and thanked Pakistan for extending ‘necessary cooperation’ in tackling the challenge thrown by the organization of Gullen.
He called upon the Muslim Ummah to forge unity and take practical measures to counter the threat of terrorism, adding terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaida and its affiliate Daesh are the agents of the war carried out against Islam which are only and solely harming Muslims.
‘We should eliminate these bunches of killers, who have no other skill than to shed Muslims’ blood, from the Islamic world and from all over the world as soon as possible,’ he said and cautioned that otherwise, neither Turkey, nor Pakistan, nor the world of Islam, or mankind will attain peace.
The Turkish leader spoke at length on deep-rooted and historic relationship between people of Pakistan and Turkey and said they are real brothers. He said the two countries have always been sharing each other’s joy and grief.
He referred to the sacrifices rendered by Muslims of South Asia during Khilafat Movement and said the Turkish nation would ever remain indebted to Pakistan. He said people of Turkey cherish their memories with the wholehearted assistance rendered by Pakistan after 1999 earthquake in Turkey.
President Erdogan recalled that Pakistan declared a day of mourning after the mining disaster in Soma in 2014 in his country and Turkey declared on day official mourning after terrorist attack on Peshawar school.
He said Pakistan was the first country to stand by Turkey after the 15 July coup attempt in Turkey.
He said both the countries have signed over fifty one MoUs and agreements over the last few years. He said we need to focus on such projects that also create job opportunities for our peoples.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country is assisting Pakistan in the execution of different development projects and also offering scholarships to Pakistani students up to the doctorate level.
Voicing concerns over the situation in Kashmir, he said the events in Kashmir continue to hurt our conscience.
He said the latest developments in Kashmir once again demonstrated the importance and the urgency of the solution of this problem. ‘We are aware of the distress and suffering of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We are deeply concerned about the increase of tension.’
He said the international community should exert further efforts in order to solve this issue, which has political and humanitarian dimensions, according to justice and law.
He said the resolution of this dispute lies in dialogue between Pakistan and India for which Turkey is ready to extend any cooperation.
Earlier, welcoming the Turkish President, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid glowing tributes to the visionary leadership of Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said credit goes to the heroic people of Turkey and courageous Members of the Grand National Assembly for rising in one voice to protect and preserve their constitution and democracy.
Earlier in the day Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif where he 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.
‘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 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.’
‘The students in the Pak-Turk schools will be taken care with 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,’ said Erdogan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also addressed the joint press conference after a one-on-one meeting with Erdogan and expressed confidence that Turkey will continue to march forward on the path of peace, progress and prosperity under President Erdogan’s charismatic leadership.
The PM appreciated Turkey’s bid for Pakistan to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, adding that it had ‘strengthened Pakistan’s position.’
He said that during talks with the Turkish premier they agreed to ‘transform our special relation into a strong strategic part.’ NNI/News Desk