PHC halts Pak-Turk school staff deportation

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday halted the deportation of Pak-Turk school staff, saying that the government’s decision has put the future of the students in jeopardy.

The court has also sought a reply from the federal government in this regard.

Two-member bench comprising of Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Ikramullah issued the stay order. Earlier, a plea was filed by the parents of the students and teachers against the decision of the government.

A chain of 28 schools and colleges is functioning under the Pak-Turk Education Foundation International Schools and Colleges in Pakistan in different cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Jamshoro and Quetta.

The education system, from pre-school to ‘A’ levels, has a student body of around 11,000 while there are 1,500 staffers of which 150 are Turkish.

The Erdogan government wants closure of the education system for its alleged links with the US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for the recent coup attempt.

In July this year, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin at media briefing on the developments in Turkey after failed attempt had said that Turkey “called on all friendly countries to prevent activities of this (Gulen’s) group” and “close down institutions run by Fethullah Gülen.”