ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan established telephonic contact with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to convince him to call off his million man long march on Islamabad but the latter refused, highly placed sources told Dawn.

Interior Ministry sources said that three to four days ago, Nisar had spoken to the PTI chief and invited him for a meeting in order to listen to his demands.

However, Khan refused to meet the interior minister and said his "Azaadi March" was final and would not be called off at any cost.

The interior minister is likely to establish contact with like-minded PTI politicians after his unfruitful attempt with Khan.

PTI's central media cell confirmed that the two political leaders had spoken via telephone.

Also read: Nisar reaches out to Imran, offers way out?

Earlier, reports quoting both PML-N and PTI sources had said that Nisar and Imran had met at the latter's Bani Gala residence to discuss various alternatives to the Independence Day long march for electoral reforms.

However, Nisar had later denied that the meeting had taken place whereas there was no direct denial from Imran on this matter.

— With additional reporting by Mateen Haider