Islamabad High Court moved against expected closure of Turkish schools
Date posted: August 4, 2016
Islamabad – The Islamabad High Court yesterday issued notices to ministries of foreign affairs and interior in a petition moved against any possible step of the government to close down the schools being run by Pak-Turk Education Foundation.
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq conducted hearing of the petition moved by the Foundation through its counsel Hafiz SA Rehman and directed the respondent ministries to submit reply in this matter.
After issuing these directions, the court adjourned the proceedings till August 5 (Friday).
In the petition, Hafiz S A Rehman stated that the Pak-Turk Education Foundation is a registered organisation and the government as well SECP has issued NOC to it.
He told the court that the organisation has nothing to do with Fethullah Gulen and there are eight members in its board of governors. Out of 8, four are Pakistanis and four are Turkish nationals.
He said that there are apprehensions that Pakistani government would either close down these schools or it would transfer its assets to some other entity.
Therefore, he prayed to the court to halt government from taking any such steps.
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government decided recently to close down preparatory schools, establishments that help Turkish students prepare for high school and college entrance exams. In a free market economy, whenever there is a demand for a good or service, its corresponding supply is created naturally; it’s that simple. However, the debate became furious and shifted into the political arena.
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