Musharraf safe if he stays politically inactive: Pak PM

“We want a general reconciliation in the country and we should focus on important issues such as terrorism, poverty, hunger, disease, health and education rather than fighting over such petty things,” Gilani told Turkey’s Sunday’s Zaman newspaper in an interview.

Musharraf resigned in August last year after the ruling coalition led by Gilani’s Pakistan People’s Party threatened it would impeach him if he did not step down. Since then, media reports have quoted sources close to Musharraf as saying that he had no immediate plans to return to politics.

It is believed that Musharraf continues to have the backing of the powerful military and reports have suggested that the army brokered an understanding with the civilian government that he would not be prosecuted after he resigned.

“We have told Musharraf that people voted for change (in the general election in February) and that this was the right time to step down. He was convinced that he lacked the support of parliament and he stepped down,” Gilani said.

Though parliament has not yet made a decision on Musharraf’s fate, the government is not seeking further punishment for him, he said.

“He is a relic of the past. Why should we bother about him at the moment?” Gilani asked.

There has been speculation that Musharraf, who can speak Turkish and has repeatedly expressed his admiration of Turkey, could seek refuge in that country. Musharraf has said that he has no plans to leave Pakistan.