The court has summoned the former President to face the charges.
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday faces trial for treason over his imposition of emergency rule in 2007, charges he has dismissed as politically motivated.
The 70-year-old is expected to appear in person before a specially-convened court in the capital Islamabad, after legal efforts to have the tribunal ruled invalid failed.
Armed government paramilitary Rangers were stationed around the National Library building, where the hearing is to take place, and shipping containers put in place to form a security barrier to the compound.
The government had earlier filed a complaint under article 6 of the constitution and other relevant laws against the former president for subverting‚ suspending‚ abrogating and holding in abeyance the constitution.
It is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former military ruler has been put on trial for treason.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who won a third term in May's general election, was the man Musharraf ousted in his 1999 coup and the former general's lawyers say he is using the case to exact revenge.
Since returning from self-imposed exile in March to run in the election, Musharraf has faced a range of serious criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule.
He stands accused of murder over the death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, killed in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007, as well as charges over the death of a rebel leader, a deadly military raid on a radical mosque and the detention of judges.
Musharraf was put under house arrest in April over the cases but was granted bail in each, one by one.