Attorney General Malik Qayyum, who is appearing on behalf of Musharraf, assured the court that there was no move to impose martial law in the country.

Though the 11-member Bench had on Thursday indicated that it was unlikely to decide the matter before November 14 as one of the judges would be away to attend his daughter's marriage, it said on Friday that it would sit even on Saturday and Sunday, if necessary, so that it could give a ruling quickly in view of the importance of the case.

After a brief recess, the bench decided that the hearing would resume on Monday. Qayyum said that the government's counsel would wind up their arguments within a day or two and he was hopeful the verdict would be given by Tuesday.

Musharraf's current tenure ends on November 15, and the delay by the court in deciding his candidature in the October 6 presidential poll had sparked speculation and rumours that martial law or emergency would be imposed.

Qayyum also said that Musharraf would continue to hold both his posts till the apex court gave its judgement.

Senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel for unsuccessful presidential candidate Justice (retired) Wajihuddin Ahmad, said the court was under pressure and should not reverse its earlier decision to adjourn the case till November 12.

Ahsan, who was recently elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association by lawyers across the country, filed an application asking the apex court to direct Musharraf not to take any unconstitutional step. He also asked the court to direct ministers to appear before it so that it could be ascertained what the government intends to do.

Justice Javed Iqbal, the head of the bench, admitted the application and said the court would go by the constitution even if martial law is imposed.

Ahsan said: "I have expressed my concerns about reports in the press of the impending possibility of the imposition of martial law and ultra-constitutional measures to re-determine the constitution of the bench to exclude judges whom the government considers to be in favour of the petition. The bar associations will not accept any deviation from the constitution. We will boycott any judge who takes oath under any provisional constitutional ordinance. We want judges to be free to decide without an atmosphere of pressure."

Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, whose daughter is getting married, would attend the hearings and be away only on the day of the marriage so that the case could be decided as quickly as possible.

The court had on Thursday decided to adjourn the case till November 12.

The Bench had on Friday said it would not be intimidated by threats of the imposition of martial law when it decides whether the beleaguered military ruler was eligible to contest the presidential poll without giving up the post of army chief.

The ruling PML-Q, whose top leaders held hectic consultations till late Thursday night, have advised Musharraf not to impose martial law or declare an Emergency.

Senior PML-Q leaders believe such a move would affect the party's prospects in the upcoming general election.

Pakistan's political future hinges on the apex court's verdict in the matter.

Musharraf had earlier assured the Supreme Court that he would give up his uniform by November 15 if he is re-elected, but he has been non-committal on his course of action if the court strikes down his victory in the Presidential poll.