NEW DELHI, February 21 (RAPSI) - A special civil court in Islamabad presiding over the treason case against former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has rejected the defense team's request to transfer the case to a military court, Pakistani newspaper DAWN reports.

In their petition, defense lawyers argued that Musharraf, who formerly commanded the armed forces of Pakistan, should stand trial before a military court. However, the court ruled on Friday that since Musharraf is no longer involved in the military, his case will remain with the special civil court.

The next hearing has been scheduled for March 11, at which time Musharraf must appear in court in person. The general first came before the court on February 18, but the charges were not officially brought against him.

The prosecution claims that Musharraf, who was president of Pakistan between 2001 and 2008, committed high treason in 2007 when he declared a state of emergency and had judges of the Supreme Court arrested. Under Pakistani laws, a treason case that may result in capital punishment or a life sentence may only be initiated by the government.

Musharraf left the country after his resignation in 2008 and returned to Pakistan in March 2013 to take part in parliamentary elections with his party. In April, however, he was arrested and put under house arrest. Currently, the general is also involved in four other criminal cases. The ex-president was released from house arrest in all cases although he is still banned from leaving Pakistan.