Turkey asks pak to close gulen-linked bodies

President Tayyip Erdogan tightened his grip on Turkey on Saturday, ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions in his first decree since imposing a state of emergency after the failed military coup.

A restructuring of Turkey’s once untouchable military also drew closer, with a planned meeting between Erdogan and the already purged top brass brought forward.

In the decree, published by the Anadolu state news agency, Erdogan extended ISLAMABAD: Ankara expects Pakistan to close down institutions run by Fethullah Gulen, the US-based religious leader accused of masterminding and backing the botched coup attempt in Turkey last week. “We have called on all friendly countries to prevent activities of this (Gulen’s) group,” Turkish Ambassador Sadik Babur Girgin said at a media briefing on the developments in Turkey after the failed attempt to topple the government. He said the Turkish government had solid evidence that Gulen’s movement was behind the plot. to a maximum of 30 days from four days the period in which some suspects can be detained. It said this was to facilitate a full investigation into the coup attempt.

Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possible death during the 15 July coup attempt, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday he would restructure the armed forces and bring in “fresh blood”.

Turkey’s Supreme Military Council (YAS) will meet under Erdogan’s supervision on 28 July, a few days earlier than originally planned, private broadcaster NTV reported, a sign that the president wants to act fast to ensure the armed forces are fully under the government’s control.

Reinforcing that message, the YAS meeting — which usually takes place every August — will be held this time in the presidential palace, not as is customary at the headquarters of the military General Staff.