Category: National

Major Waqas of the Pakistan Armed Forces has adopted a baby girl who was rescued after she was almost buried alive in Nowshera. 

Unknown persons tried to bury alive the newborn in a graveyard in Nowshera on February 7. Mourners at another grave noticed the baby and quickly informed Rescue 1122. The child was then taken to a hospital for medical assessment. 

Sources informed the media that the baby was wrapped in a cloth and covered with dirt. A viral video shows a man removing the dirt from the child’s body, thinking she is dead, when she raises her hand. The men then gently lift the child who is wearing nothing but the thin cloth she was wrapped in. Dirt covers the newborn’s face and body. 

Major Waqas then quickly filed legal documents and went to a civil court to adopt the child. Pictures of the Major holding the infant, now fully dressed in a yellow outfit complete with a cap and wrapping blanket, spread like lightning on social media sites. 

In stark contrast to the people who tried to abandon her to die, rescue personnel and other officials can be seen kissing her and holding her close in videos shared widely on social media.

Hours after writing a letter to Pakistani civilian and military leadership for the release of jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan, United States (US) House of Representatives member Joe Wilson has reiterated his demand on the floor of the House.

Addressing the House, the congressman said that Pakistan’s democracy has been undermined since after the “illegal” sentencing of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“[I have] strong disagreements with Imran Khan, including his policies towards war criminal Vladimir Putin and the Chinese Communist Party. However, political opponents should be defeated in democratic elections, not jailed on fabricated charges,” he said.

The representative for South Carolina also went on to draw parallels between US President Donald Trump and Khan’s persecution. “President Donald Trump survived a corrupt judicial system… he [Donald Trump] knows the dangers of persecution. Pakistan should release Imran Khan to restore democracy. Free Imran Khan,” he added.

Acknowledging Pak-US bilateral relations over 70 years, Wilson further said the relationship between the two countries was strongest when the latter embraced democratic principles and rule of law.

He also went on to share a video of his speech on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “My speech in Congress today. Free Imran Khan.”

The viral video of his address comes hours after Wilson wrote a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and army chief General Asim Munir, urging them to the release the jailed ex-premier.

In a post on X, Wilson shared the letter with the caption, “Grateful to send this letter today to the political and military leaders of Pakistan to Free Imran Khan. I will also be engaging the Trump administration on this issue. US-Pakistan relations are strongest when Pakistan is democratic. Free Imran Khan.”

“I have many disagreements with Mr Khan, particularly his stance in support of the Chinese Communist Party and War Criminal Putin. However, democracy cannot work if political opponents are unjustly detained on politicised charges rather than defeated in the ballot box,” he wrote.

“I urge Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, and respect the fundamental guarantees of due process, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan.”

Wilson stressed in the letter that Khan’s release would be a major step towards strengthening Pak-US relations.

Pakistan is yet to officially respond to the letter as well as the House address.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry was on Friday arrested from outside Adiala Jail, former PTI leader and ex-federal minister Fawad Chaudhry revealed in a social media post.

“Faisal Chaudhry has been arrested outside Adiala Jail. This arrest is an insult to lawyers [sic],” Fawad wrote in a post announcing his brother’s arrest.

It merits a mention that the arrest comes a day after a viral video showed Faisal hurling abuses at an Adiala Jail official. The outburst allegedly stemmed from authorities denying him access to incarcerated Khan.

While reports quoted authorities as confirming the arrest, the reason behind it had not officially been revealed by the time of filing of this report.

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has also issued a press release expressing concern over the arrest. “The jail administration prevented him from appearing in proceedings without legal justification. PBC considers it one of the barriers to providing justice and condemns and demands that such acts not be repeated in the future. Lawyers should be allowed to attend court proceedings and perform their professional duties freely and without any hindrance.”

The PBC also expressed its “great concern regarding raids on the residences of lawyers and their arrests by the Punjab Police”. 

Meanwhile, journalist Ali Tanoli took to X to quote Faisal. “Faisal Chaudhry, lawyer of Imran Khan, speaking outside Adiala Jail: Those who released the video, my fault is that I express Imran Khan’s statements outside. What happened to me yesterday happened at the inner gate; today there has been a notice about it [sic].”

Self-exiled former lawmaker Moonis Elahi also condemned the arrest of Khan’s lawyer, alleging that he was arrested because “he conveyed details of Imran Khan’s letter”.

It merits a mention that in October 2024, Faisal was kicked out of Khan’s legal team after his brother Fawad lashed out at PTI’s incumbent leadership. PTI’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja had removed Faisal from the PTI’s legal committee as well.

However, former Prime Minister Imran Khan personally intervened to resolve tensions between Barrister Raja and Faisal during the proceedings and directed the Chaudhry to rejoin the PTI legal team.

Faisal had earlier this week made headlines for revealing details of an alleged letter from the incarcerated PTI founder to the army chief.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share photos of him attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC where President of the United States Donald J. Trump gave a speech. 

In the photos Bilawal posted, he can be seen sitting up front, near the podium when Trump was delivering his talk. The PPP head also shared a clip from a speech he gave at the conclusion of the event. 

“I was under a lot of pressure that I had to speak at the conclusion ceremony of the National Prayer Breakfast. And as I sat there, I thought, how am I going to top Donald J. Trump, President of the United States surprising us at breakfast. And now its even more difficult because how am I going to top my mother and your friend, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, who sort of summed up what I was going to say,” he said pointing at the screen where Benazir Bhutto’s speech from a past National Prayer Breakfast had just been played, as the room erupted with laughter.

In the short speech that followed, he talked about Prophet Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) and his importance in Islam. “Jesus doesn’t just belong to Christians,” he stated as the room again burst into applause. “Every single Muslim you know believes in Jesus. They are a follower of Jesus,” he pointed out. 

In his speech that lasted about 30 minutes, Trump told the crowd, “I’m a believer – like you’re a believer – and we want to have a believer in this position.” 

He eluded to the shooting attempt on his life while campaigning in 2024. “I shouldn’t be here,” Trump said, recounting the day in Pennsylvania last summer when the bullet from a would-be assassin took a piece of his ear. “It was God that saved me.”

The bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast has been split into two events since 2023. A separate smaller event on Capitol Hill that is mostly attended by members of Congress and other government officials is held in addition to the main event.  

Trump attended the Capitol Hill breakfast in addition to the main event, which was hosted at the Washington Hilton.

Hold on to your hats, ladies and gents—Abdul Waheed, a security guard at a local fashion store, is on his way to becoming the next big thing in modeling.

A viral video posted by a clothing brand introduced Abdul Waheed, showcasing his transformation from a security guard to a potential star. The brand’s Instagram post captured attention with the caption:

“Hey girls, hold your horses! Meet Abdul Waheed, our DHA branch security guard, who’s about to become a superstar very soon! Watch his transformation—he’s no longer just keeping our store safe, he’s about to make it famous!

The post further encouraged brands to consider Abdul Waheed for modeling opportunities, highlighting that he has a family to support and deserves recognition.

Stories like Abdul Waheed’s prove that talent can be discovered in the most unexpected places. His rise reminds us of Arshad Khan, famously known as ‘Chaiwala,’ who became an internet sensation in 2016 after his picture at a tea stall went viral. His overnight fame led to a successful modeling career and an appearance in a film. 

Though Arshad Khan later returned to his tea business, setting up tea cafes, calling it his true identity, he has not left the entertainment industry. He continues to model, work on advertisements, and is set to appear as a Pakistan Army officer in the upcoming movie 24 Hours, expected to release in December. He also plans to open tea cafés across Pakistan, turning his passion into a business.

With Abdul Waheed now in the spotlight, many wonder if he will follow a similar path to success. His story is just beginning, and the possibilities are endless.