Turkey takes over more FETO-linked schools in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Turkey's Maarif Foundation on Friday took over the management of two more education institutes linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Pakistan, an official said.

Maarif Foundation's country director Selahattin Batur along with other officials took over the schools in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The provincial government handed over the schools to Maarif Foundation officials.

"The school students and staff warmly welcomed us, like they did in Islamabad and Lahore, and we assured them that we will not only provide incentives to the students but would also increase the salaries of local staff," Batur told Anadolu Agency.

He said that the foundation had already taken over FETO-linked schools in capital Islamabad and the country's second-largest city Lahore.

Last month, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the government to declare FETO a terror group and to ban its affiliated schools in the country.

The top court also ordered the transfer of FETO's "movable and immovable assets", schools, colleges, education centers and other similar entities to the Maarif Foundation.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 after a coup attempt to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

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 also 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.

FETO has a considerable presence abroad, including private schools which serve as a revenue stream for the terror group.