ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that he is leaving the presidency honourably, DawnNews reported.

The president made these remarks during a farewell dinner hosted for journalists. He said that during the last five years, he laid down the foundation for democracy in the country.

“It was my decision to reach out to China and it was also my decision to hand over Gwadar Port to the Chinese,” Zardari said.

“I introduced Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to his Chinese counterpart, a goodwill gesture on my part,” he added.

He said that despite having reservations on the outcomes of the general elections, he accepted the results wholeheartedly. “Democracy is really the best revenge,” he reiterated.

He further said that Pakistani media was ‘serious’ and advised the politicians to ‘enjoy the critique’.