Nawaz said that Siraj had told him of Imran agreeing to call off the march if recounting was carried out on 10 seats.

However, PTI’s Shireen Mazari has denied that any such demand was made by the party, adding that the party’s demands would be announced by Imran Khan on August 14.

The premier said he was open to discussion on the subject, adding that Imran Khan is welcome for negotiations.

Pakistan cannot afford any more confrontations as it is dealing with the scourge of terrorism, a debilitating energy crisis and an already weak economy, he said.

He said opposition queries and concerns were always welcome within legal parameters, adding that these should not be turned into battles.

Nawaz was speaking at the PM House during the National Security Conference that he had called to discuss the prevailing security situation in the country.

Representatives of all political and religious parties agreed that state has to fight and eliminate militancy and needs to evolve a strategy to eliminate terrorism on a long-term basis.

Director General Military Operations Major General Amir Riaz briefed the political leadership about the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb and the status of objectives achieved so far.

Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and DG-ISI Lt Gen Muhammad Zahir ul Islam, the DG MO and DG ISPR Maj General Asim Saleem Bajwa also attended the conference.

Terrorists’ command and control system crippled: Military

Participants of the conference were informed about the areas cleared by the armed forces during Operation Zarb-i-Azb. The conference was also told that the terrorists are on the run and their command and control system had been crippled.

The meeting was briefed that during the operation and to handle the blowback of Operation Zarb-i-Azb, requisite legal and constitutional cover has been given to Pakistan Army wherever it was required. The meeting also agreed to work to address extremism.

The meeting was also informed that the financing of terror outfits was being blocked, and that adequate resources are being mobilized for management of IDPs. The government has also planned a comprehensive strategy for the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs, the meeting was told.

The meeting especially emphasised on the development work and ultimate resettlement and reconstruction in entire Fata.

IDPs, NWA operation should not be put on the backburner: Sherpao

Speaking to the media after attending the meeting, Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that political leaders discussed in detail the overall situation in the country, including the ongoing military operations, the law and order situation, as well as the political situation.

Sherpao said that leader agreed on ensuring peace in the country, and that any measures taken should be within the Constitution to make sure democracy is not derailed at any cost.

Leaders also agreed that putting important issues — including the ongoing military operations and the matter of internally displaced persons (IDPs) — on the backburner would be detrimental for the country.

Political issues need to be resolved through dialogue: MQM

Speaking after the meeting, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar said that the leaders need to put their political and ideological interests aside and to stand together with the armed forces as they sacrifice their lives in the ongoing operation against terrorists.

Sattar said that the meeting was informed that the operation had completed some phases, while some milestones were yet to be achieved. He said a specific timeline for the operation was not defined by the military leadership during today's meeting.

When asked about the prevailing political tensions, he said that democratic forces reserve the right to register their protest.

In an indirect reference to the use of police in Punjab, he said: “If administrative powers are used in a manner that they ignite conflict and violence, the country may not be able to afford it at this stage.”

“Even the military leadership said that they are carrying out a surgery, and that the strategic and policy matters need to be looked at by the political leadership. I think these were positive (words) for the country,” he said.

Pervez Rashid questions Imran’s absence

Information Minister Pervez Rashid said questions can arise out of Imran Khan's absence from today's huddle. Rashid said it was odd that when the country wanted to celebrate Independence Day on August 14, Imran wanted to mourn and protest.

Addressing the press after the security meeting, Rasheed said the military leadership comprehensively briefed the political leadership on Zarb-i-Azb and apprised it of the targets achieved during the operation.

He said the military leadership also apprised the politicians of its future course of action in relation to the operation in North Waziristan.

The political leadership freely inquired about the operation and asked the military leadership any questions it had, he said.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak was absent from the gathering today along with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who couldn't make it to Islamabad on account of bad weather conditions in Lahore.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who was also in Lahore couldn't make it to the meeting.

—Iftikhar Shirazi and Mateen Haider contributed to reporting