<p>The deals with the Taliban several years ago that allowed the militants some power were a mistake, Musharraf told CNN.<br /><br />The former army chief said that those deals were not finalised "from a position of strength" by Pakistan.<br /><br />But if military is able to take the upper hand, more deals may be needed to calm fighting by the extremists, he said. <br /> Any deal, Musharraf said, would require the Taliban in Pakistan not to support al-Qaeda or go into Afghanistan to fight against US and coalition troops.<br /><br />"I think the line of going for political deals, political compromises, is correct," he said in yet-to-be broadcast comments. "We must do it -- even if we are doubtful of some of the people involved in the signing."<br /><br />Asked if President Asif Ali Zardari had the public backing needed to fight the Taliban, Musharraf suggested he did not.<br />"Democratically, he's elected by two-thirds (majority in Parliament). And these are the people who are the representatives of the same people you're talking of -- 19 per cent in favour ... ," he said, referring to a recent poll that showed Zardari had the backing of just 19 per cent Pakistanis. "So, there's a dichotomy. You can analyse it yourself," he said.<br /><br />His comments came amid Pakistani military operations in the restive nortwest, including the Swat valley, where thousands of Taliban militants are holed up and are offering stiff resisitance. <br /></p>
<p>The deals with the Taliban several years ago that allowed the militants some power were a mistake, Musharraf told CNN.<br /><br />The former army chief said that those deals were not finalised "from a position of strength" by Pakistan.<br /><br />But if military is able to take the upper hand, more deals may be needed to calm fighting by the extremists, he said. <br /> Any deal, Musharraf said, would require the Taliban in Pakistan not to support al-Qaeda or go into Afghanistan to fight against US and coalition troops.<br /><br />"I think the line of going for political deals, political compromises, is correct," he said in yet-to-be broadcast comments. "We must do it -- even if we are doubtful of some of the people involved in the signing."<br /><br />Asked if President Asif Ali Zardari had the public backing needed to fight the Taliban, Musharraf suggested he did not.<br />"Democratically, he's elected by two-thirds (majority in Parliament). And these are the people who are the representatives of the same people you're talking of -- 19 per cent in favour ... ," he said, referring to a recent poll that showed Zardari had the backing of just 19 per cent Pakistanis. "So, there's a dichotomy. You can analyse it yourself," he said.<br /><br />His comments came amid Pakistani military operations in the restive nortwest, including the Swat valley, where thousands of Taliban militants are holed up and are offering stiff resisitance. <br /></p>