ISLAMABAD: After reviewing Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf's medical report on Tuesday, the special court granted him exemption from appearance for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and adjourned the hearing until tomorrow.

The court constituted for the treason trial of the ex-army strongman said it would announce a ruling in relation to the medical report on Thursday.

Judge Faisal Arab, who heads the three-member bench, told the court Tuesday: “We will give an opportunity to both sides to examine (the report) and then we will decide accordingly.”

Earlier today, the court was presented with Musharraf's medical report which was handed to the judges by registrar Abdul Ghani.

Sources said the report detailed on Musharraf's medical condition and also had the assessment of certain tests carried out to measure the retired general's overall health.

Musharraf was rushed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) on Jan 2 after he complained of heart problems on way to the special court.

On Monday, the court had directed the AFIC to produce a medical certificate on Musharraf's health condition. The court had given the order after Musharraf did not attend Monday’s hearing.

The report, a copy of which was seen by news agency AFP, says the former general is suffering triple-vessel coronary artery disease and notes that his father died of the same condition.

Further tests are needed to decide whether Musharraf needs a heart bypass operation, said the report signed by AFIC executive director Major General SM Imran Majeed.

Musharraf's sudden health scare was met with scepticism by some observers, and media speculation that his departure as part of a face-saving deal to avert a civil-military clash could be imminent.

During today's proceedings, Musharraf's counsel Anwar Mansoor said the special court had a limited mandate, adding that he did not view Akram Shaikh as the chief prosecutor in this case. Mansoor also apologised to the court on account of the arguments that took place during Monday's proceedings.

Saudi FM rejects 'exit deal' rumours

Tuesday’s hearing coincided with a two-day visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal to Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties.

Rumours have circulated for months that a backroom deal would be struck to whisk Musharraf overseas, possibly to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, to avoid a destabilising clash between the government, which brought the charges, and the powerful armed forces.

But the former commando has previously insisted he wants to stay and fight the charges.

Asked whether there was any truth in speculation about Saudi Arabia and Pakistan negotiating Musharraf's departure, the Saudi Foreign Minister said: “Absolutely not.”

The minister said Riyadh had a principle of “non-interference in the internal affairs of any country and especially a friendly country”.

Aside from the treason allegations, Musharraf also faces trial over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the death of a rebel leader, a deadly raid on a radical mosque and the detention of judges.

Ghazi Rasheed murder case

Aside from the treason charges, Musharraf also faces trial over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the death of a rebel leader, a deadly raid on a radical mosque and the detention of judges.

Also on Tuesday, the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) in Islamabad demanding Musharraf’s medical certificate exempted him from appearing today in the 2007 case relating to the killing of Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed.

During the hearing, Musharraf’s lawyer filed a plea on his client’s behalf to be granted exemption from appearing before the court today.

The lawyer of the 70-year-old former military strongman said his client was unwell and therefore could not appear in court.

Subsequently, the ATC granted the request for today’s exemption and asked for Musharraf’s medical certificate.

The court later adjourned the hearing of the case to Jan 18.

The Lal Masjid operation, ordered by Musharraf, was a 2007 government crackdown on the controversial pro-Taliban mosque in Islamabad, which ended in a bloody eight-day siege killing at least 58 Pakistani troops and seminary students.