Pakistani court hears plea to label FETO a terror group

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday admitted a petition, seeking to designate as a “terror outfit” the group behind 2016 defeated coup in Turkey.

The constitutional petition which was moved by Sohail Sajid, a local lawyer, was heard by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Faisal Arab.

Fetullah Terrorist Organization (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.

Sajid in his petition requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to declare the group as a “terror outfit” in the country.

The petitioner also asked the court to order the handing over of the FETO-linked schools to Turkiye Maarif Foundatin.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. The foundation also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

During the hearing, Amir Rehman, additional attorney general of Pakistan, also endorsed the Turkish government's stance on handing over the control of FETO-linked schools to the Turkish foundation.

Justice Ahsan observed that if an organization was declared “terrorist” by its parent state, it will be recognized as one in Pakistan as well, according to Express Tribune, a local daily.

Later, the court accepted the petition for further hearing.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the petitioner said: “Not only the Turkish government but also the OIC and Asian Parliament have declared FETO as a terrorists outfit.”