This is true that Zardari has taken steps against extremists and their supporters which no one took before, including Musharraf. All credit goes to him for that.
Musharraf and his commanders tried to distinguish between foreigners and Pakistani extremists. They went after foreigners and appeased Pakistani fasadis.
Zardari, I believe, was also against the disastrous Nizam e Adl ordinance in Swat, and had to back up only due to Gilani and other PPP leaders supporting the ordinance. Time proved he was right. There can be no appeasement to khawarijs. Their goal is to occupy the whole Pakistan.
Since extremism has destroyed Pakistani society and economy, therefore Zardari deserves accolades working sincerely against this threat.