As made by Farahnaz Ispahani on the Huffington Post:

The election of Asif Ali Zardari as Pakistan's president one year ago marked the country's return to full democracy after nine years of dictatorship. It was the first time since 1958, when Pakistan experienced its first coup d'état, that the presidency was to be occupied by the leader of a major political party in the country.

The PPP remains committed to undo the arbitrary changes to our country's constitution introduced under authoritarian rule. But until the constitutional balance is restored in accordance with the spirit of the original 1973 Constitution it is important that the presidency should be occupied by someone who has struggled for democracy and suffered at the hands of the forces of dictatorship. With President Zardari in charge, there is no likelihood of presidential powers being used to derail or weaken the democratic process or to overturn a democratically elected government. The Presidency and the Prime Ministers' office and the Senate are unified behind common principles and programs. Unlike the structural divisions of the past, it is a unified government.

Since September 2008, the presidency and the office of prime minister are held by members of the same political party but in an unprecedented configuration. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is the Chief Executive, elected by parliament unanimously, and his party's Co-Chairman holds the office of President ensuring smooth functioning of government. This differs significantly from the equation between 1993 and 1996, when Mr. Farooq Leghari found it tempting as President to stage a coup against his own party's leader, who was prime minister. By nominating and electing CO-Chairman Zardari as President of the Republic, the PPP shut the door on palace intrigue. The election of PPP stalwart and former Law Minister Farooq Naek as President of the Pakistani Senate further solidified the unified structure of Pakistani democracy. These factors make it easier to introduce constitutional amendments in accordance with the Charter of Democracy through consensus.
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President Zardari's principal achievement, however, is that he has proven wrong the prophets of doom and gloom. Pursuing the spirit of reconciliation articulated by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in her final days, the president has reached out across the political spectrum. Unlike some who prefer to seek approval by doing what is temporarily popular, President Zardari is willing to take difficult decisions and make tough choices. He has been elected for a five-year term and he need not seek applause on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. As a democrat he remains tolerant of criticism and has put up with a constant chorus trying to run him down.
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As President Zardari finishes his first term and prepares to come to New York later this month, the US Congress is preparing to enact into law a massive $7.5 billion five year program of non-military economic and social aid to Pakistan. The Zardari Doctrine has been endorsed by the Obama administration and the US Congress. Pakistan, in the trenches and the frontlines for the entire world against the terrorist threat, is reinventing itself -- economic independence and viability will further increase political stability. And the political stability of Pakistan is in the interests of not only Pakistan, but the entire world. For that, Asif Ali Zardari deserves much of the credit.