LAHORE: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Saturday that former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf had remained a politician after relinquishing his position in the army and thus his treason trial had no relation to and nor was it an indictment against the country’s armed forces, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Lahore, Iqbal said those trying to link Musharraf’s trial with the army wanted to stir a political crisis in the country.

He added that such talk has to be set aside as it was aimed at calling into question the administration of justice upon which no compromise can be made.

On the issue of talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP), the minister said the government had adopted the dialogue option with the militant organisation to establish peace in the country.

He further said that a military operation could also be undertaken to combat militancy but it would be difficult to roll back later.

Iqbal said that despite all the challenges the country was faced with, the government’s policies had devalued the dollar due to which the economy was stabilising.