FETÖ menace must be nipped in the bud: Pakistan Consul General

Turkey and Pakistan have put up a united front against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind Turkey's failed July 15 coup bid, said Dr. Yousuf Junaid, Pakistan's consul general in Istanbul, in a Yeni Şafak daily exclusive interview.

“In these times, Pakistan has very firmly and clearly stood by Turkey. We have denounced terrorism in every possible way and we have stood by our Turkish brothers," said Junaid.

“In Pakistan there were schools run by the FETÖ people and ever since the failed coup, both governments are in complete contact and collaboration on this issue. Through the advice of the Turkish government and our own concerns, we are in full cooperation with the Maarif Foundation for the smooth transition of these places."

FETÖ terrorists are led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, who orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup plot and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

“We have a common understanding on the issue. Pakistan's prime minister was one of the first heads of state to publicly denounce the coup attempt and express our solidarity with the government, with president Erdoğan, prime minister Binali Yıldırım and the people of Turkey," said the consul general.

The FETÖ terrorist group is also known for its network comprised of hundreds of schools around the world.

So far, over 80 FETÖ organizations operating internationally, including schools and training centers, have been shut down or transferred to the Maarif (Education) Foundation under Turkey's education ministry.

“After having suffered terrorism for so many years, we understand that this is a menace that must be nipped in the bud. We are fully supportive of the measures that are being taken by the Turkish government to counter these terrorists and these attacks," said Junaid.

Since the failed coup, Turkey has been carrying out ongoing operations in the military, police and judiciary, as well as in state institutions across the country, to arrest suspects with alleged links to FETÖ.

Junaid also touched on Turkey and Pakistan's joint stance on terrorism.

“Pakistan and Turkey have always said in very clear words that 'We are against all forms of terrorism' and we denounce terrorism. Turkey is a country that has always stood by Pakistan," said Junaid.

“Very unfortunately, what we have witnessed in the past two-three years in Turkey is a devastating situation in terms of the attacks that the innocent Turkish people suffered. On top of that, the 15 July failed coup attempt was another massive kind of calamity that hit Turkey."

Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged to increase coordination between political, military and intelligence tiers against terrorism in Ankara in 2009.

Pakistan's consul general shared intimate memories from his childhood about Turkey-Pakistan relations.

“We have always thought of our two countries not as friends, but as brothers," said Junaid, who recounted an emotional memory from his childhood that exemplifies the ties between the two nations.

Junaid explained how when he was younger, he observed a huge tear in his grandmother's ear, and asked her why the skin was ripped into two.

“I pressed her to explain why, and she said the Ottoman Empire was in trouble. The Turkish people needed arms, money, ammunition, and even soldiers. Not being very rich, she didn't have much to give. She was wearing gold earrings that she had had for four, five years and they were stuck in her ear, so she pulled them, causing the tear, and donated her earrings to the Ottoman cause," recounted the consul general.

Junaid has been in Istanbul for almost eight years, working to further strengthen the deep historic ties of Turkey and Pakistan.

“From the historical perspective, I think we enjoy a unique relationship. The only area where I feel that we have not been able to fulfill our obligations is trade and commerce," said Junaid.

“Ever since I came here, that has been my biggest focus. We should increase our bilateral trade."

Turkey and Pakistan have been negotiating the free trade agreement since October. Both nations have agreed to eliminate 85 per cent of tariffs, and include trade in goods, services and investment as part of the agreement.

“What the two governments wanted, after realizing that bilateral trade needed to be improved, is that trade restrictions should be opened up and tariffs should be reduced. That is how the idea of the free trade agreement came into existence," said Junaid.

“It is going to be a very comprehensive agreement. Once this agreement takes place, which is hopefully in the next one or two months, bilateral trade will double within six to eight months and quadruple in one, one and a half years."

Pakistan hopes that once the agreement is ratified, the potential of investment and flow of goods expands. The consul general stated that Pakistan's advantage was the production of raw material and skilled and cheap labor, and that Turkey's advantage was developed mechanized systems, and that these advantages were complementary.