Once the court clears Musharraf’s October 6 victory, he has vowed to quit as army chief and become a civilian president, although he remains under fire from the opposition and Western allies for setting back democracy in nuclear-armed Pakistan.

A bench of 10 judges struck down the five main challenges to Musharraf's right to contest the election while still army chief. The sixth and final petition will be heard on Thursday. “The notification of the president’s election cannot be issued because a petition is still pending. Hopefully, it will be done after that,” Attorney-General Malik Qayyum said.

During Monday’s proceedings, judges warned lawyers they faced contempt charges and cancellation of their licences if they persisted in challenging the legality of Musharraf’s new bench.

“You’re taking it lightly, but you don’t know that your licence can be cancelled and strict action can be taken against you,” Justice Nawaz Abbasi told a lawyer acting for Wajihuddin Ahmed, a former chief justice, who had run against Musharraf.

Envoy to meet Bhutto

US Ambassador Anne W Patterson met Bhutto on Monday. “I am meeting the former prime minister and other political leaders to confirm American interest in free, fair and transparent elections and to assure her and all others that we will do everything possible to ensure that the electoral process takes place,” she told journalists at Bhutto’s Karachi residence.

Bhutto said she was undecided whether to participate in polls she doubted would be fair. She ruled out further negotiations with Musharraf because of a lack of trust.

Musharraf said emergency rule would remain in place for longer to reinforce the fight against Islamist militants threatening Pakistan’s stability and ensure security for polls.