Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is on trial for treason, narrowly escaped what police called an assassination attempt as a roadside bomb went off shortly before his convoy was due to pass early yesterday.

The bomb was planted on Musharrafs route from an army hospital in Rawalpindi, where he has been staying since January, to his home on the outskirts of Islamabad. It went off at around 2:00 am (2100 GMT Wednesday).

Nobody was injured and there have so far been no claims of responsibility.

"Four kilograms (nine pounds) of explosive device planted in a pipeline under a bridge exploded around 20 minutes before the former president was supposed to cross the spot," police said.

Niazi said Musharraf was then taken home via an alternative route.

Musharraf, who led Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, returned from self-imposed exile in March last year to fight in general elections, but was barred from taking part and has faced a barrage of legal cases including treason.lt was the fourth apparent attempt on the ex-general's life, with the first three occurring while he was in office.

Some commentators in the domestic media said those explosives may have been planted by insiders in order to exaggerate the threat to Musharrafs life and expedite his safe passage out of the country through a behind-the-scenes deal.