All Parties Conference called on September 9

Interior minister contacted all opposition leaders to ensure attendance on the day of the conference.

In order to reach a consensus on the country's counter-terrorism strategy, an All Parties' Conference (APC) has been called for September 9, Express News reported.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali reportedly contacted all the political party leaders via telephone, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat-ulema Islami Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat Islami chief Munawar Hasan.

Soon afterwards, PTI Chairman accepted the invitation to the conference, Express News reported.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar and leader of the opposition National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah were also contacted.

"The idea is to get everyone on board for the conference," reported Express News correspondent.

Earlier, the APC scheduled for July 12 was delayed when PTI Chairman announced that he would be leaving for the UK before the conference.

However, PTI leaders later claimed that the APC was postponed because the government wasn't ready with its presentation and said that other people from PTI could have attended in Khan's stead.

Interior Minister had indicated last month that APC will be held by the end of August.

Aside from developing a counter-terrorism strategy, the conference will also decide if the government should pursue dialogue with Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) - a decision which the Interior Minister had claimed won't be taken without the input of the political parties.