Turkish nationals in Pakistan challenge their expulsion order in court

Islamabad: Pakistan’s order for 400 Turkish nationals to leave the country within 72 hours is being challenged in court. [caption id=“attachment_1615021” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AFP[/caption] The Turkish nationals include staff at the Pak-Turk International school chain and their family members. Ankara has accused the school of links with the movement of US-based dissident cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Pak-Turk denies. School officials say the petition is being heard in court on Thursday. They spoke on condition of anonymity fearing for their security when they return to Turkey. The move comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting Pakistan. Erdogan has accused Gulen supporters of staging a failed 15 July coup. Pakistani police officer Adnan Naseer says hundreds of Pak-Turk students have blocked the main road in the eastern city of Lahore to protest the expulsion orders.