KARACHI: A close friend and aide of Pakistan’s former military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, said on Saturday that the retired military leader was ill and being treated at a hospital in Dubai.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 military coup and stepped down nine years later, was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2016 for health reasons that his lawyer has argued prevent him from standing trial for treason and other charges against him. He was admitted to hospital in Dubai earlier this week.

"There have been marks of improvement," Dr Muhammad Amjad, former chairman of Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), told Arab News, sharing a recent photo of the retired general in hospital.

Hidayatullah Kheshgi, APML’s incumbent chairman, did not respond to Arab News' questions about the status of the former military ruler’s health.

On Thursday, messages circulated on social media websites that the former ruler was critically ill. One WhatsApp message claimed he had died at a Dubai hospital.

APML leader Amber Naeem told Arab News on Friday that Musharraf had been taken to hospital on Wednesday but was discharged the following day.

“He is unwell and is taken to hospital when required but there is nothing to worry about regarding his life,” she said. “He is fine now and at home.”

But Amjad confirmed the former military ruler was still in hospital.

After rumours about Musharraf’s debilitating health emerged, Mehrene Adam Malik, Secretary General of the APML, said on Twitter on Thursday: “There is no truth in rumors on social media about Former President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf on ventilator or critical condition. He is fine, spending time with his family and as advised by his doctors, taking rest. May Allah bless him with long and healthy life, Amen.”

Last month, Musharraf’s lawyer told a special court that his client was suffering from several diseases, including a rare life-threatening condition and thus could not personally attend court hearings in a treason case. That case against him is adjourned until after Ramadan.

The criminal cases pending against Musharraf were lodged by prosecutors under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in the 1999 coup. Sharif returned to power in elections in 2013.

Musharraf has not returned to Pakistan since he was allowed to leave the country in 2016.