ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday will not appear before the trial court in a case pertaining to charges of high treason due to medical reasons ‘beyond his control’.

However, the court is scheduled to record his statement, under directives of the Supreme Court (SC), under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code to complete the treason trial.

Meanwhile, he has requested the court to postpone the hearing.

Musharraf, through his counsel Salman Safdar, has requested the court to postpone the hearing until the end of Ramazan.

The application also states that in light of the life-threatening medical condition of the petitioner, supported by medical certificate and photographic evidences, his absence was caused by factors beyond human control.

On April 1, the Supreme Court had directed the special court to proceed with the trial on the next date of hearing (May 2).

But if he failed to appear, being a PO (proclaimed offender), the special court is empowered to proceed against him even in his absence under Section 9 of the High Treason (Punishment) Act, 1973, the SC had ruled.

Musharraf is facing treason trial under Article 6 of the Constitution as well as Section 2 of the High Treason Act.

He was indicted for high treason by a special court in March 2014, but left for Dubai in 2016 to “seek medical treatment” and has not returned since.