Pakistan's former president Musharraf needs angiography

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A medical report of Pakistan's former ailing military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who faces high treason charges, has suggested an immediate angiography, his lawyers said Friday.

Musharraf was taken to a military hospital in Rawalpindi near capital Islamabad earlier this month after he suffered from heart problem, his lawyers said.

A report from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) was presented before the three-member special court on Friday which advised angiography for the former president.

The medical report said Musharraf has refused to undergo angiography in Pakistan and wants it outside the country and in hospital of his choice.

As all facilities of angiography are available at the AFIC, the report called for a decision about the angiography as soon as possible.

The court is expected to announce its verdict on the medical report later Friday.

Musharraf has not appeared before the court despite repeated orders as his lawyers insist he cannot come to the court due to deteriorated health condition.

The court had earlier observed that he is not too sick to avoid appearance. Medical experts said that all facilities for his treatment are available in Pakistan and there is no need to take him out of the country for treatment.

Prosecutors have previously told the court that Musharraf is intentionally not coming to the court and called for issuance of his arrest warrant.

Special prosecutor Akram Shaikh insisted Friday that Musharraf is healthy and that he had not asked for the medical report.

Musharraf's defense lawyer, Anwar Mansoor, had requested the court not to make the report public as it is a private document.

The former president, who is accused of abrogating the constitution in 2007, cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who need special permission to go abroad.