Never popular and always shrouded in controversy, Zardari - once jailed for 11 years for alleged corruption - relinquishes power for a new life likely to be split between Pakistan and Dubai.
Six years after his wife, two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was murdered, he retires having presided over the only civilian government in Pakistan history to complete a full term in office and hand over to another at the ballot box.
His successor is Mamnoon Hussain, a businessman and close ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif whose low-key persona and lack of personal power base puts him in stark contrast to Zardari.
"Politicking, keeping diverse groups together, that's one of his achievements," political analyst Hasan Askari told AFP of Zardari, 58, who had to deal with a fractious ruling coalition and a divided Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Another achievement was facing down a zealous judiciary.
Furious that judges sacked under military rule in 2007 were not immediately reinstated when Zardari took power, the courts pursued him.
The Supreme Court convicted of contempt and sacked his first prime minister for refusing to ask Switzerland to reopen multi-million-dollar corruption cases against Zardari.
"I have not seen any Supreme Court in the world trying to put its sitting president on trial in a foreign country," said Askari. "He survived that. He's a big survivor."
Allies praise the outgoing parliament for passing more legislation than any of its predecessors, including laws empowering women against domestic violence and sexual harassment.
In 2010, Zardari relinquished much of his power to the prime minister, rolling back on decades of meddling by military rulers in an effort to institutionalise parliamentary democracy.
But critics say he showed no leadership in the face of economic decline and spiralling insecurity, laying accusations of poor governance and rampant corruption at his door.
"Continuity is a positive development in a country like Pakistan where political leaders don't last long. Other than that there is no achievement you could really highlight," said Askari.
Prime Minister Nawaz has inherited a surge in terrorist attacks. Shootings and bomb attacks are now a daily reality.
Nothing has been done to eliminate the plethora of militant networks blamed for violence in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
Religious violence has reached dizzying levels with the Shia minority bearing the brunt.
Meanwhile Karachi is suffering from record killings linked to political and ethnic tensions.
Nawaz has made his top priority resolving a chronic energy crisis and trying to revive the economy. He was left with no option but to secure a $6.7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to reduce a fiscal deficit that neared nine percent of gross domestic product last year.
Zardari spoke of the need for reconciliation at a farewell lunch hosted for him by Nawaz, which earned plaudits from commentators praising the dignity of the handover.
"Today we need reconciliation. Everyone needs it, so we have to work together under your leadership. We will strengthen our country. We cannot afford divisions," Zardari said.
"It is a question of our future generation. History will not forgive us if we do not realise the situation and the threats (Pakistan faces). We have to save Pakistan from future threats."
Aides deny that Zardari, unpopular and divisive within the PPP, will spend most of his time abroad and insist that he will base himself in Pakistan and immerse himself in trying to revive the party.
The centre-left PPP ran a rudderless general election campaign earlier this year and has been thrust into its greatest crisis, suffering a crushing electoral defeat without a true leader.
His son, Bilawal, is chairman but can only run for parliament after he turns 25 on September 21 and is seen by many observers as a reluctant heir to the legacy of his assassinated mother Bhutto.
His younger sister, Aseefa, publicly registered to vote this week and some observers believe she has more of the charisma and political hunger needed to replace her mother.
Zardari's spokesman Farhatullah Babar told AFP that Zardari will relocate to Lahore "to start yet another chapter in political struggle" and analysts suggest he will try to revive the party dominated by the Bhutto-Zardari family.
He is due to vacate the presidency for the last time on Sunday to a guard of honour. Hussain is to be sworn in on Monday.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Congratulations to the Pakistani nation who afforded Zardari and showed tolerance and patience for 5 years......
@TK: ExpressTribune will be responsible because, they dont publish comments no democracy here...
@asim:
If he flies out of the country who will be responsible? ISI, MI, FIA or any other chief?
Good bye Mr president, u r leaving your office but your tolerance and political acumen will be missed. @asim Get your facts right man, nothing was proven against him and a person is ineligible for public office when something has been proven against him in the court of law
@asim: Great timing dude great timing. I guess you've misunderstood, "never too late". Not in such cases, please.
Zardari Zindabad!
Will the justice start in this Islamic Republic now, against this man....I doubt.
We indians will miss you AAZ sahib. You were a good friend of india. Please revive ppp for foistering our friendship. We love your smile and the way you take insults on your face. God bless you. Rab rakha
Mr. Zardari is the most vigilant, optimistic and charismatic man who lead the hung parliament with great courage and enthusiasm and kept them unite. He hold Pakistan when it was so much distracted. He faced many hurdles and pressure, not only from the Pakistanis but also from the foreigners, during his tenure. Just we'll have to keep an eye on the PMLN that how they lead the nation and country as a governing party with heavy mandate.
the heading suggests that as if he was not going to stand down. Btw, has he got any other choice?
Aside all differences from President Zardari and his party policies. It is so sad to see a major political party having representation of all Pakistan from starting from Sindh and ending in Gilgit turn to almost dust and ruins after their main leadership assassinations. I wonder what PPP's future will turn out to be?
In this Sunday's DAWN Cyril Almeida very perceptively asks : What does it take to miss a PPP government ? Answer : a PML-N government. I think Mr zardari's task will not be that difficult if Cyril proves to be right.
Good bye Mr. President. You will be remembered for what you great man did for democracy and institutionalization of parliamentary powers of elected government. I am PML N suppoter yet sure you were the one and only man who make it happened " the really democracy"
"once jailed for 11 years for alleged corruption".
As per constitution and LAW he can not hold even the position of a clerk who made him president.?
A Question that will never be answered.
good riddance