A peaceful transition of power in Pakistan

Asif Ali Zardari has made history by completing a full term as Pakistan president. Over his five years, judges sought to unseat him, militants vowed to kill him and he was constantly accused of corruption. Critics have said that his biggest achievement was simply staying in power. At the end of his tenure, Zardari leaves behind a country beset with problems concerning security, the economy, corruption and governance. A new government in Islamabad now has the task of putting things back into place.

But his departure also gives a boost to the democratic process. The smooth transition has ensured that a new President, Mamnoon Hussain, will take on the mantle. A well-respected but low-profile businessman who led a successful career in textiles, Hussain’s new role will cement Pakistan’s democratic transition back to a ceremonial head of state.

Zardari has said that he will now spend time strengthening the Pakistan Peoples’ Party which suffered a crushing election defeat. He must unite disgruntled factions and also settle the matter of succession. In whatever way history judges him, Zardari will be known as the man who kept the country together in trying circumstances and then handed over power in a peaceful transition.