Lawyers defending ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have temporarily succeeded in stopping an important prosecution witness from giving evidence at the trial of the former leader.

Mr Sharif, his brother, Shahbaz and five others are being tried for hijacking, attempted murder and terrorism.

The trial centres on the events of 12 October, when General Pervez Musharraf seized power in a bloodless military coup.

The defence challenged the testimony of Colonel Atiq Kiyani, a prosecution witness, saying he was not present during the events surrounding the alleged plot.

"This statement is based on hearsay and the evidence is not admissable," defence lawyer Khwaja Sultan said.

After a series of arguments, Judge Rehmat Hussein adjourned the case until Friday. He is expected to make a further ruling on the defence plea in the interim.

Colonel Kiyani was the military officer who filed the formal complaint with the police which led to charges against Mr Sharif. Correspondents say if he is not allowed to take the stand it would represent a setback to the prosecution.

'Sharif ordered diversion'

On Wednesday, a witness told the court that Mr Sharif had personally ordered the plane carrying General Musharraf to be diverted to the Middle East.

On being told it was low on fuel, Mr Sharif allegedly ordered that the plane be refuelled at Nawabshah, before being flown to Muscat the witness, Mahmood Zahid, said.

But Mr Sharif's attempt to prevent the plane from landing ended when army troops entered the prime minister's office.

The prosecution says Mr Sharif's order to prevent the plane from landing at Karachi airport, despite it being low on fuel, endangered the lives of all those on board.

Mr Sharif's defence lawyers are arguing that he only tried to stop the plane landing after the coup had been launched.

The prosecution is expected to introduce several more witnesses.

After that, Mr Sharif and his co-accused will make statements, then defence witnesses will give their testimonies.

All have pleaded not guilty. If convicted of the hijacking charge they face a possible death penalty.

Mr Sharif has been in detention since he was overthrown in the coup.