On the cricket field, Imran Khans bouncers carried the element of much expectation. If the batsman ducked, the ball would go waste into the wicket keepers hand and if he instinctively swung at it, he would get a six, amidst the roar of the crowd. If he flicked the ball carelessly, he may well be caught midfield, to the wild jabs and gestures of the bowler and his team mates. Such is the phenomenon in the political arena after the October 30 jalsa of Imran Khan in Lahore. The critics say that it (the jalsa) was organised by the 'establishment, in the same manner as the cricket pitch was prepared for him by the competing host, the team was selected and trained by the selectors/coaches and Captain Imran was expected to lead the team to victory. He led them to victory, but can he lead his political team to victory, is the question? Imran launched his party in 1996 and its activities remained low-key, but the October 30 jalsa has created the impression of a 'third force emerging on the political scene, similar to the PPP emergence under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1960s. However, then the political environment was different. There was a political vacuum because the Muslim League had lost its lan. Bhutto gave a new ideology and slogan to the masses. He picked up new faces, who were competent. He himself was a seasoned politician, statesman and visionary. Comparatively, now there is no political vacuum, rather a political swell exists where the space is limited. Imran is attracting mainly the youth and the old faces, who could not find place in other parties. Possibly, they cannot be a catalyst for change, especially for the gigantic tasks set by Imran - targeting the Americans, army, ISI, Nawaz Sharif, corrupt officials/individuals, and thanedars and patwaris. It seems that there are too many 'hard nuts to crack and too big a task to handle. However, the 'Imran factor is there, raising political expectations that need to be examined. There has been a constant struggle for political power between Right and Left in Pakistan. At present, Right is represented mainly by the Muslim League in Punjab, while Left rules at the centre and three provinces. Imrans party is emerging as the third force mainly in Punjab and will affect PML-Ns vote bank benefiting the Left, particularly the PPP. The Americans would feel comfortable with the emerging situation. However, the nation wants a change earlier than 2013 and is exerting pressure on the politicians, establishment and judiciary to act as a catalyst, who will need the support of 'a compliant political force such as the emerging third force. The scenario fits in perfectly into the sequence of events starting with the exemplary jalsa, the media hype, and the mad rush by political sinners to be cleaned, dry-cleaned to pass through Imrans Bahishti Darwaza (Chaudhry Shujaat). The struggle between Right and Left also highlights the conflict between secular and non-secular forces. The non-secular forces appear to be on the retreat because they do not consider it necessary to impart even the basic religious education to their children, who are losing their identity and acting like robots, ready to absorb any alien ideology fed into them. This youth, with no identity of its own, forms the majority and provides street power to Left, demanding a secular Pakistan as in Bangladesh. Would Imran follow the political agenda of this force, is doubtful. The fight against the corporate greed is the global phenomenon, which could provide enough space to Imran to implement his agenda for the underprivileged of Pakistan. The privileged, in Pakistan, constitute about five percent of the population, but exercise control over 90 percent of the countrys wealth and resources. The money barons, feudals, smugglers, the cheats, the bureaucracy in power, financial institutions and corporate organisations, form 'the nexus, known for its greed and exploitation of the majority - the 95 percent, underprivileged Pakistanis. If the PTI Chief has the agenda to fight the 'corporate greed, both the young and old would follow him, with the befitting slogan: Occupy I.I. Chundrigar Street. Pakistan is passing through a very critical period of its life. The political turmoil, bad governance, rampant corruption, decaying national institutions, political and ideological conflict and fear of Greek Tragedy likely to hit Pakistan in the near future, present a dangerous trend demanding a careful handling by the political forces and two institutions, namely the judiciary and the armed forces, who have remained cool despite provocations. The provocations, as revealed by Mansoor Ijaz, have exacted the first reaction from the Services Chiefs, who boycotted the Presidential dinner for the Turkmenistan President on November 14; similar to the Services Chiefs' boycott of the reception for PM Vajpayee in 1999. It is an ominous trend, indeed Moreover, Dr Ashfaque H. Khan, the eminent economist, warns that the Greek Tragedy is soon going to hit Pakistan. He said: The critical ingredients that brought Greece to the brink are very much present in todays Pakistan. If the status quo is maintained and business as usual policy continues, the country may witness a similar situation within the next two years.Pakistan faces a serious debt crisis; it will have little resources to repay. Investment is down to a 40-year low, economic growth has slowed to an average of 2.9 percent.Fiscal indiscipline is widespread with budget deficit averaging 6.5 percent of GDP. The public debt has more than doubled in four years, as compared with the cumulative rise in debt for the last 60 years; double-digit inflation has persisted for over 48 monthsBalance of payments is now entering a danger zone. Unfortunately, reckless policies are being pursued to appease the voters. The government is non-serious, as the economic fallout threatens national security. The European Union and financial institutions of the world have put in place $1.4 trillion to bail out Greece. Who will bail out Pakistan, no one knows. Perhaps, Imran has a plan. Watch him on the television. He appears to be very confident and hard-hitting in his remarks. His body language has changed. He is ruthless in his retort to criticism, not sparing even the very respectable scholars and analysts like Ataul Haq Qasmi, who rightly commented: It is surprising, how the tone and tenor of Imran Khan has changed into that of the worst of a feudal tyrant, despite the fact that the power he clamours for is nowhere in sight. Imran Khans bouncer, has given hope to many sab umeed se hain, including the 'Great Khan (title given by Jamaima Khan). Let them revel in their dreams soon to realise that sab thath parra reh jayega jab laad challega banjara. The writer is former chief of army staff, Pakistan. Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk