Islamabad, Mar 16 (IANS): For the first time an elected government in Pakistan has completed its tenure in office but a daily noted Saturday that parliament was leaving behind a tattered economy and a shaky polity.

The first session of the national assembly was held March 17, 2008. Accordingly, the house would complete its term Saturday night.

An editorial in the News International said the elected government had made history.

"That, truly unfortunately, is only the form. What will be the judgement of history when it studies the content? Will it not reveal it to be a woeful tale of failure...?

"Will it not see the parliament that has just faded into oblivion as a freakish assemblage of politicians who wasted their political capital and national wealth on surviving in power without building any institution that could secure the future of this nation?"

The 2008 parliament was elected amid turbulence.

The daily said parliament was leaving behind "debris and shambles, a heap of corruption scandals, a houseful of apex court decisions and judgements that need to be implemented, an economy that is in tatters, a polity which is shaky.

"There is nothing here to redeem those who ruled us for five long years," it rued.

The editorial said there was "loot and plunder as if this was our politicians' last chance to stay in power" and many amassed wealth for themselves and their cronies.

It observed that politicians "violated all norms of politics and confronted all those who could be a threat to their ambition - including the judiciary, the media and the civil society.

"Parliament was never given the power and the status it deserved. In a bicameral parliamentary system, the president was turned into the seat of real power and everyone was dancing to its tune.

"Ministers were shuffled like cards, personal servants and friends were thrust into positions where genuine professionals and experts were needed.

"This meant total decay and a free fall in other sectors of national importance - the economy, social sectors, foreign policy, security...," it said.