Imran claims military establishment not 'willing to talk' to him.

LAHORE -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Friday expressed his desire of holding talks with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir 'for the betAterment of the country' stating that he had no dispute with the (miliAtary) establishment.

While speaking to reAporters at his Zaman Park residence in LaAhore, the former prime minister discussed in detail issues related to politics, his ties with the army, his frustraAtion with retired army chief Qamar Javed BaAjwa and his recent court hearings.

Imran's remarks come just hours after PresiAdent Arif Alvi announced April 30 as the date for elections in Punjab, a deAmand the PTI had been pressing for since the dissolution of the proAvincial assemblies.

When questioned why he was not speaking to the establishment, the PTI leader said that he never had a quarrel with the establishment, and it was Gen Bajwa who 'stabbed me in the back'. He added that even after he lost his government, he spoke to Gen Bajwa for the betterment of the counAtry. But it was General (r) Bajwa who wanted to crush hi.

'But if anyone thinks that I will bend the knee, that cannot happen,' he said. Imran also criticised the retired general for 'deAlivering a speech against Russia' and demanded that he be 'court-marAtialed for this speech'.

'I am willing to speak to the establishment even now - for the betterment of the country - but if no one is willing to talk, what can I do?' he asked. He went on to say that 'it seems like the [current] army chief is considering me his enemy'. He then challenged the incumbent army chief to prove any corruption case against him and his wife.

Speaking on the matAter of the corruption casAes against him, the former PM said: 'The cases of corAruption against my wife and me cannot be proved,' adding that if the COAS doubted his integrity so much, he should look into it personally and would find that 'I am indeed inAnocent of any corruption'.

Khan also maintained that it was 'very importAant' for the country's army to be strong.

During...