WASHINGTON / NEW YORK, Oct 10: Former president Pervez Musharraf told an American news channel on Sunday that he favoured agreements with moderate Taliban as a purely military victory was not possible in the war against terrorists.

“After defeating the Taliban, after 9-11, I always was of the view we need to go in for deals,” Mr Musharraf said in an interview broadcast on ABC's “This Week” programme. “My strategy was always to strike a deal.”

The 67-year-old former military leader disagreed with the US criticism that Pakistan was not doing enough to fight terrorism and urged Washington to understand the problems that had given rise to violence in the region and allow Pakistan to solve its own problems. “Pakistan has always been accused of not doing enough. I totally disagree with this statement, we are doing enough,” Mr Musharraf said.

He also strongly rejected a recent White House report which said “the Pakistani military continued to avoid military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with Afghan Taliban or Al Qaeda forces in North Waziristan. This is as much a political choice as it is a reflection of an under-resourced military prioritising its targets.” “I totally disagree with this statement,” the retired general, speaking from London, told the anchor. “We are suffering hundreds of people dying from bomb blasts and suicide bombs. And yet we are the rogues,” he added. “Let Pakistan alone and let us – let us deal with the problem.”

He said he was working with his new party “to create an environment of popularity, of political clout” for returning to Pakistan before elections in 2013.

Mr Musharraf observed that there was now widespread discussion of Afghan authorities coming to some kind of accommodation with elements of the Taliban.

In reply to a question, he said: “Well, I see the condition of Pakistan. And I see that Pakistan is suffering. And in this darkness that prevails in Pakistan, I don't see any political party which can show the light. I understand better what is a ground reality instead of listening to people from abroad who don't know Pakistan.”