ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — As power shifts in Pakistan from American anti-terrorism ally President Musharraf, the new government is gambling on peace talks with Islamic militants to push back the tide of violent extremism.

It’s a strategy backed by the majority of Pakistan’s 160 million people, exhausted by bloodshed many blame on Mr. Musharraf’s forceful tactics against the Taliban and Al Qaeda along the Afghan border.

Initial results are encouraging: There has been only one major bombing in the past five weeks. However, American officials note that past peace deals failed and new accords could simply give militants time to rebuild and plan attacks in Afghanistan and the West.

The talks appear snagged over militant demands for the army to withdraw from the tribal areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border.

A senior official urged militants to show flexibility. “At the moment, the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas is next to impossible,” the chief minister of North West Frontier Province Haider Khan Hoti, said. “Once there is peace and stability in the area there can be a dialogue on such demands.”

Mr. Musharraf, who retired as army chief in November and saw his political allies routed in February elections, has been pushed to the periphery.

As president, he retains the title of commander in chief of the armed forces, but his successor as army boss, General Ashfaq Kayani, is taking orders from the civilian rulers, Mr. Kayani’s spokesman says.

Mr. Musharraf’s power will fade further if the new ruling coalition amends the constitution and strips him of the authority to dissolve parliament.