ARTICLE: "So what's up?"

"Coronavirus is running rampant...."

"I am tired of hearing about the virus! Let's talk of something else..."

"Islamabad is the worst affected area with respect to population and the numbers infected, and that's under The Khan's direct control and so..."

"And this is talking about something else?"

"No but my point is the policy or strategy is not working and..."

"Did anyone die of hunger in Islamabad yesterday?"

"Well that data is not collected but I would think not."

"I rest my case about the strategy, so let's move on."

"But data on death by starvation is not collected so how would..."

"Move on silly, the B team has come up with a budget...."

"Are you classifying Hafeez Sheikh as a member of the B team?"

"Everyone other than The Khan is a member of the B team."

"What about Zulfi Bukhari?"

"He is a member of the B plus team."

"And what about Asad Umer?"

"BB as in speculative grade - he was the Minister of Finance, the second most powerful position, and then out and then back again."

"Oh! And Khusro Bakhtiar?"

"NR as in not rated."

"Then there is Shibli Faraz, the new guy?"

"Well his predecessor Firdous Ashiq Awan can be rate RD - a rating which indicates an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has experienced an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange."

"And Faraz?"

"B so far and when he slips to C he will be replaced."

"OK but you didn't tell me Hafeez Sheikh's rating."

"CCC - default is a real possibility."

"Then he is the right choice for the economy too is at risk of default if his budget is passed."

"If the country defaults the blame will be placed on the previous governments, the virus, the failure of FBR to generate the tax targets agreed by Sheikh, the failure of ministries to cut down expenses, and if these are not acceptable then there is always the Prime Minister's stubborn nature...."

"Hmmm everyone but the budget formulators?!"

"Precisely."