A SUPREME Court stacked with judges loyal to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf cleared the way Thursday for him to rule as a civilian president, throwing out a final challenge to last month's election.

The decision, which was widely expected after Musharraf purged the court of independent-minded judges, means that Pakistan's Election Commission can put a stamp of approval on the October vote that won Musharraf a five-year-term.

The general has said that once he got a court decision in his favor, he would quickly step down as army chief and take the oath as president. Pakistani Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum has said such a move could come as early as Saturday.

The court decision "means there is no challenge to his eligibility (to serve as president) and to the election," Qayyum told reporters. He said the court would issue a directive to election authorities Friday ordering them to ratify the result.

After that, he said, "the president will be free to take the oath" as a civilian president.

Immediate reaction from Musharraf's opposition was muted.

Sherry Rehman, a spokeswoman for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, said she had no immediate comment.

An official with a powerful religious coalition, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, said the ruling was "not unexpected," adding that the important thing is for Musharraf to make good on his promise to quit as army chief as soon as possible.

A decision by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and other opposition groups on whether to participate in parliamentary elections slated for Jan. 8 is seen as a critical test for whether Musharraf can weather the political storm around him. Analysts say that if they boycott the vote, as they have threatened, it will be difficult for him to claim any legitimacy.

The case before the court Thursday centered on a claim by a would-be rival candidate, Zahoor Mehdi, who was blocked by the Election Commission from competing in the vote. He argued the decision was wrong, but the court said his nomination papers were not valid. Five other cases challenging the presidential election were either thrown out or withdrawn Monday.

It is still not clear whether Musharraf will lift the state of emergency, despite international pressure, including from the United States, his key backer. The Supreme Court was also considering challenges to emergency rule, and a decision was expected by Friday.

Also Wednesday, the government freed more jailed political activists, including two of Musharraf's key opponents.

Law Minister Afzal Hayder announced on state television that the government had released 5,634 lawyers and political party members. He said 623 people remained in custody, but that they would be let go soon.

Those freed included Imran Khan, a former cricket star who has become a firebrand in the opposition to Musharraf's rule. Khan said he would continue a hunger strike begun in custody and boycott the election in hopes of forcing Musharraf to give up all power.

Also freed was Javed Hashmi, acting president of the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf's most dogged foe. In a phone interview, Hashmi called for opposition parties to boycott the parliamentary vote to avoid giving credibility to Musharraf.

The government also claims to have freed former Supreme Court justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, his family and five other judges purged from the high court when Musharraf suspended the constitution. But those judges have not been seen in public, and their supporters claim they remain under house arrest.

Qayyum said Wednesday that Musharraf would quickly fulfill his promise to quit his army post and be sworn in for a new five-year presidential term as a civilian.

"It may happen on Saturday ... I know the president, and he will honor his commitment," Qayyum said.

(SD-Agencies)