Although Imran Khan studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford, he lacks the necessary depth in intellect, imagination and experience to be a real revolutionary. He does have a revolutionary vision but lacks the ability to develop and implement programmes that will radically transform Pakistan based on his vision. Cricketing skills are insufficient to change a complex society.

If we compare Imran Khan with Erdogan of Turkey, who has a similar vision – mixing modernity with Islam and its principles of social justice, human equality and Muslim pride – it is clear that there exist vast differences between them. Erdogan had and continues to have a movement behind him that went through many trials and tribulations and long periods of thinking, struggling, formulating and reformulating ideas with inputs from many experienced and deep thinkers.

On the other hand, Imran Khan is a man on his own – moved with a passionate vision to transform – but does not have a base and background that Erdogan of Turkey possesses.

Imran Khan is surrounded by people from many backgrounds who share his vision to various degrees. But no one is clear on how or what to do that will help transform Pakistan according to the vision. In addition, Imran Khan improvises and looks out of depth when faced with challenges from the military, whether independent or America inspired.

Imran Khan has been an unusual Pakistani politician in the sense that he is his own man and not part of the traditional classes that dominated Pakistani politics. In Pakistan, the entrenched classes that control the nation have made sure that no real changes are possible for the country. This is in terms of how it is governed, who is in charge, the levels of the rule of law to allow, etc. – in other words, they will not allow Pakistan to become a normal country as their interest, mainly short term, will be disrupted.

Corruption and looting of Pakistan by the entrenched classes will ensure inefficiency in the economy and all that will continue to follow, including arbitrary rules to sustain the abnormal functioning of the country.

Imran Khan was wrong to use arbitrary power to dissolve the parliament and call for an early election, based on the grounds that his supporters gave for the action. I am glad the supreme court has ruled against that, but I worry that the verdict of the Apex Court in Pakistan, although it may be constitutionally correct, the military might have played a role in the decision behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, the rule of law must prevail. I hope that through the process of the rule of law Imran Khan can stay in power or come back soon to rule Pakistan again. Although I can see the limitations of Imran Khan, he is still the best non-traditional power-based politician that Pakistan needs now. The others will only keep Pakistan entrenched as before and won’t let real reforms and economic changes that will set the country on a path of progress and challenge the wrongful interests of the entrenched classes.