Pakistan's local media says president-elect Asif Ali Zardari must work quickly to remove all doubts about his chequered past and prove to the people that he can be trusted.

Dawn, the leading English-language newspaper, says Pakistan has had many controversial presidents in the past but none as controversial as Mr Zardari.

The paper was alluding to the 11 years he spent in jail on charges ranging from corruption to murder.

It says the new president must dispel the impression of a political wheeler dealer and rise to the requirements of statesmanship.

The Dawn says if Mr Zardari fails to keep his pledge to pare down the extraordinary, anti-parliament powers of the president, his credibility and democratic credentials will be in tatters.

Mr Zardari is expected to be sworn in as president on Monday.

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