Yes, Zardari was a 'compromise'. He is a stoog for the Euro+Amer+Israeli, but he's not a total stoog. Musharrif would have been a better, but that is the danger of 'demonacracy', in which a small number of people rule over the masses. I talked with many people from different countries, and when they speak about politics it really boils down to wealth distribution and competence in running the country.
That is why I see PRC as ideal (not perfect) for China. If Nationalist party won, then we would see much more inequality in China, and this would have quickly lead to mass rebellion. There is no ideal political system as each nation has unique circumstances, you cannot apply one system to another just because it was successful in that country.
As for all the doomsayers:
Pakistan will have a future. India will have a future. China will have a future. There may be unrest, turmoil, rebellion and street riots -- but the will of the people is truly magnificent. They will persevere, and enough people that truly love their nation exist that they will NOT ALLOW it to fail.
Have faith comrades!
One day we all will learn to live in peace and harmony. I know I will not see that day, but I know my descendants will, because my efforts are towards that goal!