THE 19-YEAR-OLD SON of slain Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto has become the new symbol of hope for democracy in Pakistan—and the subject of Internet hoaxes and countless tribute sites.

According to The Times of London, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s genuine (and private) Facebook profile says he enjoys horseback-riding, tae kwon do, and networking on Facebook. We don’t know how many Friends he has, but the first-year Oxford University student has a legion of fans. Many of them female. And many with their own Facebook accounts.

The social networking site alone boasts at least 20 such fan clubs. Some support his politics: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari: Saviour of Democracy of Pakistan. Some can’t resist a pun: Bilawal Bhutto is The Bomb. Many proclaim his hotness: “Let’s Not Assassinate Bilawal Bhutto Because He’s Hot, OK?”

On this point, though, there is disagreement. Andrew Matheny, an 18-year-old student in Dallas, Texas, was compelled to create the group The Bhutto Kid Is About As Hot As The Geico Caveman after he saw this article. “Judging by the picture shown with the story, I thought, ‘This guy? Hot?’ I’m a guy and even I think that’s weird,” he told TMM. “I decided to parody {these groups]. I’m poking fun at something I find a little ridiculous about the world we’re living in.”

One group being parodied has got to be Hot ‘n’ Spicy Bilawal Bhutto—Best Thing Since Butter Chicken and Naan. It was started for surprisingly lofty reasons by a 17-year-old British-Pakistani student in London named Seemah Butt (which we thought was the Pakistani version of Seymour Butts, but no…).

“I started a group for Bilawal Bhutto because I am a big supporter of the Pakistan People’s Party,” she said in a Facebook e-mail exchange with us. “They are true beacons for democracy and I truly felt as if I had lost a loved one when Benazir Bhutto was killed. In Bilawal, I see his grandfather’s genius and mother’s good looks. I know that he will bring democracy to Pakistan, something his mother and grandfather gave their lives for.” She goes on: “I wish to tell all Pakistanis to vote the right choice, Bilawal Bhutto. I want the West to know that Pakistan is not an oppressed and extremist country and actually is an open-minded country with great potential for democracy.”

As for the group’s name? “Butter Chicken is a popular hot dish in Pakistan. I think Bilawal Bhutto is definitely the best thing since Butter Chicken.”

Hear that, Bilawal? Someone wants to Poke you.

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