Facebook withdrawal kicks in

KARACHI: The impact of access to Facebook being blocked has generated a massive response.

People who were obsessed with using the social networking website through their smartphones, and constantly updated their Facebook status, whether they were in their classrooms or at the office, are rather nostalgic . With cellular text messaging being one of the most receptive media to controversial issues in Pakistan, many people appreciate the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocking Facebook, while others are missing their favourite activities – liking, commenting, tagging, and updating on Facebook.

Amidst a number of serious text messages campaigning to report all sites promoting blasphemous content, a number of witty chain messages have rolled in, remembering the joys of the good old days of Facebook. We present the most popular chain messages doing the rounds:

1. (Sender) is very happy that Facebook is blocked :) … … … And I don’t know where to put this status now :(

2. Remember me? I was your best friend until you left me for your new love. There was a time I was closest to you. But then she took my place. Now your beloved has left you and has gone far away. But don’t cry. I am here and I am coming back to wipe your tears. You won’t miss her again because NOW I am your love, your friend and your confidante. Yours, Orkut

3. The third features a donkey made out of text characters. The statement above it reads: (Sender) has tagged a photo of you. The message is followed by a list of ‘feedbacks’ including “likes” and comments similar to those to photos posted on Facebook

Published in the Express Tribune, May 26th, 2010.