ISLAMABAD: The special court constituted to try former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for high treason on Friday issued an arrest warrant for the former president, DawnNews reported.

The three judge court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court, heard the case relating to treason charges against the ex-army strongman.

Earlier during today's hearing, Musharraf's counsel, Anwar Mansoor, submitted an application in the court requesting for the former president's exemption from today's hearing in which he was likely to be indicted.

He said background checks were being conducted of personnel deployed for Musharraf's security which could take six to eight weeks.

Mansoor had also contended that orders issued by the court to summon Musharraf were unlawful, adding that the Dec 13 order was also unlawful.

He requested the court to revisit the order.

Meanwhile, chief prosecutor Akram Sheikh said Musharraf's absence from the hearings was an attempt to disrupt court proceedings.

Justice Arab remarked that if Musharraf did not appear for the hearing, his lawyer would be indicted instead.