He is not yet the prime minister of Pakistan. But Mr Imran Khan's emergence as the leader of the single largest party in the National Assembly from last week's general election in Pakistan is resonating at home and abroad. Whatever might be the allegations of "match-fixing" in these elections, there is no question that he has raised expectations of change in Pakistan.

For the large numbers of the urban middle class, who abandoned their old political affiliations and tuned into Mr Khan's call for a "new Pakistan", it is a moment of great hope. Although Pakistan's voters have been repeatedly let down in the past by their leaders, many are willing to bet that the status quo is not forever and believe that the nation is at an inflexion point.