Arrest warrant issued for Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf

A court in Pakistan has ordered the arrest of Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the house arrest of judges in March 2007.

Mr Musharraf was present at the Islamabad High Court when the judges issued the order. He had been seeking bail in the case.

Police present at the court did not arrest him when the order was made.

The former general immediately left the court and drove away escorted by his security detail.

The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that when judges issue arrest warrants in court, the suspect is normally handcuffed within the court premises.

Mr Musharraf can file an appeal against this court order in Pakistan's Supreme Court.

He returned from years of self-imposed exile last month hoping to lead his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party into the general election next month.

But earlier this week his candidacy was rejected from Chitral, the fourth seat he hoped to stand for. He had already failed in an attempt to stand in three other seats. His legal team plan to appeal against that decision.

He is embroiled in a series of legal battles and has been attempting to stave off arrest ever since he arrived as well as a bid to try him for treason

He has described all the cases against him as "baseless" and politically motivated.

-BBC