Pakistani parents withdraw children from Gülenist schools

Hundreds of parents across Pakistan have decided to withdraw their children from Gülenist-linked PakTurk schools after seeing evidence linking these institutions with Fethullah Gülen, the leader of the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ). The parents of students in PakTurk schools and colleges were astounded to learn about the activities of these educational institutions. After reading news in Daily Sabah and in Pakistani media, these parents are highly concerned.

Dozens of parents expressed grievances and said they will withdraw their children from PakTurk schools at the end of summer vacation.

Farzana Khan, a mother of an A-Level student, said: "These horrible facts about the Gülenist preaching that we cannot tolerate. I cannot afford to have my son affiliated with schools belonging to a terrorist network. … My God! It is shocking for me and for our whole family. It's shameful that the management of PakTurk schools and colleges lied to parents, saying that these institutions were run by the Turkish government. They exploit Pakistani sympathies and friendship with Turks, which is a fraudulent practice, and the Pakistani government should hold them accountable for this fraud."

Ijaz Hussain Shah, the father of a student, said: "Since 1995, they have been busy at Gülen's agenda, but July 15th has badly exposed them in Pakistan, as it showed their links with the Gülenist Terror Organization. We are thinking of changing my son's school. There are dozens of high-quality schools, better then these PakTurk schools, which produce only Gülenists."

According to Muhammad Hashir, an A-Level student, "Are there any other schools where they take quizzes from a magazine? In the PakTurk schools, there is a monthly quiz from Fountain magazine with questions about the life and teachings of Fethullah Gülen, so that students focus on him." He said that this is a deliberate attempt to brainwash the students. "I have no interest in Fethullah Gülen's life, so I do not understand why they want to force me to know about him."

Parents have sent several applications to the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) regarding disciplinary and other severe violations, but no action has yet been taken. Students at PakTurk schools have complained that these schools have poor laboratories and unjustifiably high charges, which the students say do not suit an organization that claims to be imparting a quality education.