The second mini-budget presented on 23 January 2019 is certainly not a cause for rejoicing and praise. The second mini-budget became a practical necessity because the regime strangled the economy so hard with taxation, in its first mini-budget, that the economy choked to the point that its ability to cough up tax revenues was itself compromised.

After Trump’s envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, heaped praise on Pakistan for facilitating talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban on 17 January 2019, General Qamar Javed Bajwa proudly assured him of “continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region.” The arrogant US has been brought down from demands, scorn and scolding to praise, smiles and handshakes because it is staring at complete, humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Within hours of describing Mustafa Kemal as “one of the greatest statesman and visionary leaders of the 20th century,” Imran Khan simultaneously incited ridicule within those of Western liberal thinking and deepened disappointment within the Islam loving people.

One of the signs of a failed, neglectful system is that the crises become numerous, with the latest fiasco erupting over private education fees. The Supreme Court on 13 December 2018 ordered a 20 per cent decrease in fees charged by upscale private schools, and ordered them to return half the fees they had charged for summer vacations.