Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is on trial for treason, has escaped an assassination attempt.
Pervez Musharraf. Photo: AFP
Police say 4kg of explosive device exploded in a pipeline under the Faizabad Bridge late on Wednesday night as Mr Musharraf was being transported from an army hospital to his farm house on the outskirts of Islamabad. He was taken home via an alternative route.
Mr Musharraf was admitted to hospital for chest pain in January this year on his way to court at the start of his trial.
Earlier this week, the former army chief was charged with five counts of treason over alleged constitutional violations during his time in power, the BBC reports.
Police inspect the site of the explosion in Islamabad. Photo: AFP
The 70-year-old denies the charges and says all the accusations against him are politically motivated.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, which police say they are investigating.
Mr Musharraf has survived numerous assassination attempts and plots against him during his time in power.
Since returning from self-imposed exile last year, the Taliban has vowed to kill him, with security threats preventing him from attending a number of his trial hearings.
He stands accused of unlawfully suspending the constitution and instituting emergency rule in 2007.
On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry turned down Mr Musharraf's request to end a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country to visit his sick mother in Dubai. He is currently under house arrest.
President from 2001 to 2008, Mr Musharraf was one of Pakistan's longest-serving rulers.