RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was rushed to hospital Thursday after suffering a “heart problem” on his way to court, in the latest dramatic twist in his treason trial.

The 70-year-old had been summoned to the special tribunal in Islamabad after failing to show up for two previous sessions due to security threats.

Jan Mohammad, a senior police official, told the court that Musharraf had fallen ill with a “heart problem” while being transported to the hearing under heavy guard.

The case was adjourned till Monday, with Musharraf’s legal team saying he would seek medical advice before deciding whether to attend.

A doctor at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi, the garrison city bordering Islamabad, said the former ruler was in a stable condition.

An aide to the ex-general had earlier told AFP he was in a “bad shape”.

“If the doctors advise him to go abroad for treatment, then we will seek permission from the court,” Musharraf lawyer Muhammad Saif said.

“The court can grant him permission to leave the country if his doctors advise so.”

Earlier on Thursday his lawyers walked out of the court hearing, complaining of being threatened and harassed.