The first day of former Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf’s trial has been postponed due to a bomb scare.

The ex-military ruler is facing treason charges relating to his actions in 2007 when he suspended the constitution, fired and detained judges including the country’s chief justice and imposed military rule.

However, authorities found an explosive device and two guns about one kilometre away from Musharraf’s Islamabad residence on Tuesday.

Musharraf’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan said the ex-leader could not attend the trial because of a “serious threat to his life”.

Proceedings are now due to begin on 1 January 2014.

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March hoping to take part in elections, but instead he was banned from running for office, put under house arrest and accused of treason. He denies the charges, maintaining the judiciary has a “vendetta” against him.

The bomb has not been linked to any group, but the Pakistani Taliban has threatened to kill Musharraf.

In a recent interview, the former leader urged the Taliban to “not destroy Pakistan” and to “give up terrorism”.