ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his gratitude to Pakistan government over the decision to close Fethullah Gulen-funded PakTurk schools and colleges in the country.

“I am thankful for the solidarity demonstrated by the Pakistani administration on this matter… And for their decisive stance against this organisation,” Erdogan said while addressing a joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Thursday.

“It is necessary to dismantle this evil network… The terrorist organisation is a threat to the security of Pakistan,” he claimed.

“The students in the PakTurk schools will be taken to the highest standards with joint cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.

The Turkish president also announced that the Turkish government is determinedly taking on what he termed the Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto).

“We are in the process of warning all of our friends and countries across the globe with whom we have solidarity against Feto, what Turkey calls an alleged terrorist organisation headed by US-based self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Pakistan had earlier promised Turkey it would look into the affairs of the PakTurk education network that Ankara wanted to shut down for its alleged links with Gulen.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed confidence that “Turkey will continue to march forward on the path of peace, progress and prosperity under President Erdogan’s charismatic leadership.”

Nawaz appreciated Turkey’s bid for Pakistan to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, adding that it had “strengthened Pakistan’s position.”

“We believe that our close relationship serves as a stability factor in the region,” the premier said.

Nawaz said “2017 marks the 70th year of Pak-Turkey diplomatic relations” and will be celebrated in a “befitting manner.”