ISLAMABAD: The special court constituted in the federal capital to try former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Mushharaf for treason charges adjourned its hearing until Feb 21, after the former president appeared in court for today's hearing, DawnNews reported.

A three-member special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, heard the case against the former president.

The court did not indict the former president during today's hearing, following which Musharraf returned to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) where he was admitted for heart trouble on Jan 3.

Earlier, Musharraf’s counsel Anwar Mansoor had assured the court that the ex-army strongman would make an appearance today.

The special court had also reserved its ruling on a decision to conduct the trial of the ex-army strongman in a military court.

Meanwhile, security was tightened up on the former president's route from the AFIC to the court.

Moreover, helicopters were providing air cover as part of the security arrangements for the former military strongman.

Earlier on Feb 7, the special court trying the ex-army strongman had ordered him to appear today.

The 70-year-old is facing treason charges, which can carry the death penalty, over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president.

The former general has been in a military hospital since falling ill with heart trouble while travelling to court on Jan 2.