Pakistani social media users focus on ‘tarbooz wala’

Dubai: Social media users are obsessing over a viral photograph of the ‘tarbooz wala’ in Pakistan.

The picture of a young man, Mohammad Awais, seen cutting a ‘tarbooz’ or a watermelon, on the streets of Karachi, Pakistan, is being shared countless times. It is reminiscent of the 2016 trend that erupted on social media of the ‘chai wala’ or a tea seller.

However, in this case, it is more of a case of mistaken identity - Awais is not an actual fruit seller.

He is a medical student, currently studying at the Ziauddin Medical University in Karachi, as revealed by one of his friends on Facebook after he noticed the viral photograph.

@aafridi6 tweeted: "Who cares about chai wala - it’s the tarboozwala who’s trending now."

Tweep @hamadahmadkh conducted a poll: “Select one! Which one is your favourite? #chaiwala or #tarboozwala?”

Tweep @khaanmoul wrote: “Tarbooz wala from Karachi looking far better than many Bollywood celebs.”

@chotaasuperman wrote: “This tarbooz wala is way better than chai wala.”

@sabrahaider_ tweeted: “Omg look at this guy! After ‘chai wala’ it’s gonna be ‘watermelon wala’.”

User @sneha_006, from Bengaluru, India, also joined in: “#Tarboozwala from #Karachi is now a sensation. We must thank our neighbours for such treats! Spread #love, #hatred is over-rated! #india #pakistan”

A lot of people were also reposting his photograph on Instagram.

One user, @ykismofficial posed a question: “#Tarboozwala > #Chaiwala? Yes, no, maybe?”

Instagram user @beauty_blogger_sehar added: “This #tarboozwala is not a fruit seller, but he is a doctor and currently studying in Karachi.”

Awais has joined in and changed his profile picture on Facebook to the viral one with the status: “Dr Tarbooz Wala”.