Court defers Musharraf's indictment in high treason case

Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside a special court formed to try former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf for treason in Islamabad February 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Pakistan police arrest former president Musharraf

Musharraf's lawyers had earlier insisted that their client had imposed emergency when he was the army chief and that a military court can only try him under military act.

It is the first time in Pakistan's history that a military ruler faces high treason trial. Legal experts say that if found guilty Musharraf could either faces death penalty or life imprisonment under Pakistani laws.

Special prosecutor Akram Sheikh, however, called for Musharraf' s indictment as a charge-sheet has already been delivered to the accused.

The court had earlier stated that formal charges would be framed on the day he appears.

The former military president was brought in high security from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad.

The hospital had earlier presented a medical report in the court and the court ruled that there is nothing serious in the report to stop Musharraf from court appearance.

The medical report said Musharraf had refused to undergo angiography in Pakistan and wants it outside the country and in hospital of his choice.

The court had also previously observed that Musharraf is not too sick to avoid appearance. Medical experts said that all facilities for his treatment are available in Pakistan and there is no need to take him out of the country for treatment.

The former president, who is accused of abrogating the constitution in 2007, cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who need special permission to go abroad.

Musharraf had already got bails in three high profile cases including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She was killed in a suicide bomb attack and gunshots during Musharraf's rule in Rawalpindi.