Latest news with #Wali
Rudaw Net
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Syria expects to elect new parliament in August: Official
Also in Syria US-backed forces to launch anti-ISIS operation in Syria: Brigade spox. SDF says 'disinformation campaign' seeks to undermine the force Damascus exhibition honors missing Syrians Syria's torture survivors face health crisis, funding shortfall: Amnesty A+ A- A committee tasked with electing Syria's new parliament expects the vote will take place in August, a Kurdish member of the committee told Rudaw on Friday. "We are now at the stage of visiting Syrian provinces where we are holding meetings with activists, sociologists, politicians, and academics from each province as public gatherings. This is to draft the temporary system for electing People's Assembly members as our program continues. We hope these elections will take place at the end of August," said Mohammed Wali. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa established an 11-member Higher Committee for the Elections of the People's Assembly on June 2 and instructed it to form provincial committees that will be responsible for electing suitable representatives for the assembly. The vote will not be open to the public. Wali said 70 percent of the members of the assembly will be experts and intellectuals while the rest will be notables and dignitaries. One third of the members will be directly chosen by Sharaa. Kurds, who had been deprived of Syrian citizenship for decades, are eligible to become candidates, but people who were granted citizenship after the eruption of the civil war in 2011 are not eligible because of fears that ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad granted citizenship to many Iranian militants, explained Wali. It remains unclear whether the elections will be held in the Kurdish-held northeast (Rojava). Wali said this is linked to political developments. The Rojava administration is in talks with Damascus about integrating into national institutions. Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - headed by Sharaa - toppled the regime of Assad on December 8. The new Syrian leadership in late January disbanded the army, dissolved the parliament and annulled the constitution. Sharaa has pledged "free and fair" elections. The interim constitution adopted by Sharaa's government sets out a five-year transition period that gives the president executive authority and the People's Assembly control over legislation. The following is the full transcript of the interview with Wali: Rudaw: Has the official date of the People's Assembly elections been set? Mohammed Wali: We are now at the stage of visiting Syrian provinces where we are holding meetings with activists, sociologists, politicians, and academics from each province as public gatherings. This is to draft the temporary system for electing People's Assembly members as our program continues. We hope these elections will take place at the end of August. Will the elections be held on one day across all provinces, or will each district and province hold elections on different days? The People's Assembly elections will take place across all of Syria on one day. Will elections also be held in the Autonomous Administration [Rojava] areas? Hasaka province, Raqqa province - these are still in our program. We have visited five or six provinces and in the coming days we will go to other provinces. All Syrian provinces, all their people, all their communities, all their components will participate in these elections. In this transitional phase, the electoral system is not direct because of the special situation Syria is going through. There's no possibility for direct elections. As we announced in our meetings with governors, activists, sociologists, and provincial experts, this parliament will be established with two groups: the group of experts and the group of notable community figures. That's why we've set a suitable time frame to try to reach everyone, because this is everyone's right. Will you go to the Autonomous Administration areas? You know there's an agreement between the Syrian state and the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces]. In the coming weeks, if something emerges, if political progress is made... This matter is being discussed within the Higher Committee for the elections of the People's Assembly, it's under consultation. We hope our people, our community will have this right and their representation so we can establish a legislative assembly for the new Syria, a Syria that is a state of law, not the Syria that the [Bashar] Assad regime ruled. The state was tied to laws serving the Assad family and gangs. That's why we're working hard in this transitional phase. We're heading toward a lawful state, which is why Syria needs an assembly that enacts laws serving all Syrian people, with all their components and all citizens, where these laws guarantee freedom and dignity for all citizens. If that's not possible - if you can't go to the Autonomous Administration areas or hold elections there - what would be the alternative solution to ensure their representation in this parliament? What is the mechanism? As we recently announced, we went to some provinces and in the coming days we'll go to the remaining provinces. We're preparing the draft of the temporary electoral system. We're gathering opinions from Syrian citizens, activists, politicians, and academics from society, and we're discussing how to ensure this temporary system serves an election that guarantees representation of the Syrian people with all their components in this People's Assembly. As we announced, political matters will be consulted with the Syrian presidency. We'll see in the coming days. All provincial people have rights that will be guaranteed. Experts or community notables, social dignitaries who become candidates and enter this mechanism we're preparing, who become members of branch committees or electoral candidates - for each province according to statistics, particularly 2010 statistics, each city or area will have members according to conditions and requirements to be included in this system, to be recognized to ensure everyone's representation. Therefore, this system we're looking at is a district-based system. Districts tied to cities... Each province has several areas, each area produces several members of parliament... But Mr. Mohammed, you know and I know that the 2010 census was before the Syrian civil war began. Many changes have occurred in cities, in population numbers, a large portion of people were displaced and became refugees. Will they also have the right to vote? Because we're in this transitional phase, eight million Syrians have become displaced and refugees inside Syria. They are not on their land, not in their civil registry, they're in countries neighboring Syria, scattered around the world. That's why this system is not direct. It was designed so we can properly and clearly have an assembly that represents the Syrian people. The main goal of this assembly is to free Syrians from the laws that the collapsed regime had imposed, that kept the Syrian state backward and served a gang while opposing its own citizens. In this coming assembly, the assembly's duty is to enact laws that serve Syrian citizens and ensure Syria's strength. That's why we announced the People's Assembly will have two groups, according to Syrian presidential decree number 66 that was issued: 70 percent will be the group of social experts and the second group of 30 percent will be community notables or social dignitaries. What are the criteria and requirements for someone to become a member of the People's Assembly? As a start, according to some conditions and requirements we've set based on our visits, the person who becomes an electoral candidate must meet these conditions and requirements. One of these conditions is that they must be a Syrian citizen. It is okay to have a second citizenship because as you know the Syrian regime forced many people to leave the country and seek other citizenship. First, they must be Syrian citizens. Secondly, they must be over 25 years old, they must not have criminal convictions except for security or political convictions, because the collapsed Assad regime convicted millions of people on political or security grounds. The person who becomes a candidate must not be a governor, minister, or their deputies, and must not be members of the Syrian army or security personnel. Their reputation and character in society must be good. Will you consider the condition of Kurds who were deprived of Syrian citizenship for decades, but later obtained it? As I said before, in the committee, we discussed this. The Syrians who were deprived of Syrian citizenship by the Assad regime are eligible to become candidates. Syrians and Kurds who obtained citizenship before May 2011 are eligible to become candidates. The reason we are focusing on that date is that the ousted regime of Assad had granted Iranian and sectarian militias citizenship [after May 2011]. This caused demographic change. Therefore, we at the committee said that people who were citizens of Syria before 2011 can become candidates.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Viral by chance, famous by heart
Gul Wali Khan was arranging a fresh tray of walnuts at his stall in Peshawar's Rail Shopping Plaza when a teenager walked up, grinning. 'Aap ka woh video dekha tha,' the boy said, wide-eyed. 'Jo truck ke neeche bhi nahi toota!' Wali smiled, half amused, half proud. He's heard this before, from young fans, elderly couples, and even entire families who visit just to meet him in person. Not long ago, a family visiting from Birmingham stood at the counter, pointing at their phone and laughing. One of them told him, 'You're more famous in the UK than here.' It wasn't always like this. For over two decades, Wali ran Nayab Dry Fruits the way many small shopkeepers do, quietly, consistently, with little fanfare. There were no signboards or advertising plans. But in 2022, a single video changed everything. Shot by his nephew and uploaded to TikTok, it showed Wali dramatically challenging viewers to try and crack open one of his walnuts, not with teeth, not with a stone, not even with a truck. The video racked up millions of views. More followed. Then hundreds more. People started arriving from cities he had never been to, some just to take a selfie. 'I didn't plan this,' he says. 'I just spoke from the heart, and the phone camera was rolling.' Since then, his voice and face have travelled far beyond Peshawar. Customers have flown in from the UK, France, Germany, and Switzerland just to shake his hand. Some recognize him by voice alone. Others bring gifts. All of it, Wali says, happened without a marketing team, paid ads, or any idea how social media even works. 'Before all this, my business was ten percent of what it is today. Now, it's grown by ninety percent.' And Wali is not alone. Across Pakistan, small and homegrown businesses, from a sweet shop in Mardan to a roadside kachalu vendor, to a family-run clothing brand in Sialkot, are discovering that one authentic video can unlock what once felt out of reach. Not every post goes viral. But sometimes, one is all it takes. When virality replaces strategy In Pakistan, a quiet revolution is unfolding on phone screens. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook and YouTube Shorts have become unexpected allies for small businesses, offering them a stage previously reserved for those with substantial marketing budgets. Traditionally, small shopkeepers and home-based entrepreneurs relied on word-of-mouth or foot traffic to attract customers. Now, a single, authentic video, often filmed on a basic smartphone, can propel a local business into the national spotlight. These videos, unpolished and heartfelt, resonate with audiences seeking genuine stories over glossy advertisements. The numbers underscore this shift. In 2023, Pakistani companies spent $10.5 million on TikTok advertising, accounting for 10% of the country's digital marketing expenditure. This figure, while modest, highlights TikTok's rapid ascent as a preferred platform for businesses aiming to connect directly with consumers. This digital transformation is further fueled by the country's expanding mobile connectivity. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as of March 2025, Pakistan boasts 143 million 3G and 4G users, with mobile penetration reaching 58.3%. This widespread access ensures that even the most remote businesses can reach a vast audience without traditional advertising channels. For many entrepreneurs, the appeal lies in the simplicity. There's no need for marketing jargon or complex strategies. A heartfelt message, a glimpse into daily operations, or a unique product demonstration can captivate viewers and turn them into loyal customers. This democratization of marketing means that success is no longer confined to those with deep pockets. In the age of virality, authenticity reigns supreme, offering small businesses a powerful tool to tell their stories and grow their reach organically. While the digital shift may feel abstract at times, its real impact is unfolding in unexpected corners, at roadside stalls, in home kitchens, and behind modest shop counters. These are not businesses with ad budgets or media plans. What they share is a moment, one idea, one video, that helped them break through. Dry fruits in Peshawar As mentioned before, Wali got famous just by one video. Before TikTok fame, Wali's biggest challenge was keeping his shop stocked during the busy season. Now, it's managing the flow of tourists and fans who arrive daily, some from overseas, others from neighboring cities, and many carrying nothing more than a phone and a story about how they discovered him online. His shop, Nayab Dry Fruits, tucked inside Peshawar's Karkhano Market, has become something of a landmark. It's not unusual for 15 or 20 people to show up at once, hoping to meet 'the man from the video.' He doesn't manage his social media, in fact, he doesn't even know how to upload a video, but his content has spread across the internet with a kind of homemade charisma that big brands often try to replicate. Now he has more than a million people following him on the social media. The shift hasn't always been easy. A video showing Wali refusing a costly gift to two disabled boys once drew criticism online. The backlash hit him hard. 'I went into depression for a while,' he admits. 'But then I spoke the truth. This is my shop, built with my own hard work.' To his surprise, tens of thousands came to his defense. The story, and his video response, only increased his visibility. What started with a nephew's smartphone has grown into something far bigger, a loose collective of family members, friends, and even customers who create content with him, sometimes inside a small video studio set up in the corner of his shop. He still credits it all to one thing - sincerity. 'People say, 'Who taught you this?' But no one did,' he says. 'I just speak honestly, and people connect with that.' His dream now is to expand to Europe, especially the UK, where he says his videos are even more popular than in Pakistan. For a shop once built on tradition and quiet routine, the internet has offered not just growth, but a global audience. Sweets from Mardan In the narrow lanes of Mardan, nestled between grocery shops and chai stalls, Jalil Sweets has stood for over 75 years. Known for its gajar ka halwa and syrup-soaked gulab jamuns, the shop was already a local favorite. But it wasn't until Rehmat Gul, better known online as 'Baba Ji ke Kartab', picked up a ladle and started juggling piping-hot sweets mid-air that Jalil Sweets found its second identity: a TikTok sensation. One video, simple, spontaneous, showed Rehmat tossing gulab jamuns from one tray to another with theatrical flair. It exploded online. Views turned into visitors. 'Before TikTok, people knew us in Mardan,' he says. 'After that video, people were calling from Lahore, Peshawar, even abroad asking us to ship halwa.' The shop hasn't changed its recipes or its setup. The counter is still lined with trays of fresh mithai. The ghee still fills the air. But the customers are different now, younger, more curious, and often holding their phones out to record. Some come just for a glimpse of Baba Ji in action. Others want a selfie before they leave. 'We had a brand before but you can say TikTok made our brand modern without losing the traditional feel,' says Rehmat. 'It helped us tell our story in a real, fun way.' Jalil Sweets never had a marketing plan. Word of mouth kept it going for decades. But now, it's digital buzz that brings in orders, and energy. Rehmat greets fans on camera, chats with visitors mid-filming, and makes sure every video feels like a window into the shop's warmth. 'People connect with honesty,' he says. 'They see how much love we put into every piece of mithai.' The experience has reshaped his outlook. 'Someone once told me, 'Baba Ji, you've made mithai entertaining!' That's when I knew this was more than just a shop. It had become a story people wanted to be part of.' Fabrics and fashion Atia Zuhair the owner of Kachay Dhagay didn't restart her family's clothing brand with a business plan or a store launch. She picked up her phone and started talking. In short, honest clips on social media, she began sharing the behind-the-scenes life of Kachay Dhagay, the fabric runs, the design choices, the self-doubt, and the small wins. What started as a way to document her journey quietly grew into something far more powerful. 'One day, while sourcing fabric, a shopkeeper looked at me and said, 'You're from Kachay Dhagay, right?'' she recalls. 'I was surprised and happy. That's when I realized how powerful social media is. People actually watch and remember.' Kachay Dhagay wasn't new, it was a paused legacy. Atia brought it back with her own vision, blending old family values with contemporary aesthetics. More than sales, what she found was a community. 'People often come up to me and say, 'I found you on TikTok.' It means a lot,' she says. 'Those aren't just followers, they're supporters.' For Atia, the social media platforms weren't just a tool for business. It was a way to work from home, on her own terms, in a society where that's not always easy for women. 'I tell girls who can't leave home for work, don't waste your talent. Share it. People will notice.' Atia's story is not loud or flashy. It's patient, persistent, and real, the kind of story that quietly finds its way to people's screens and stays with them long after they scroll past. Street food sensation Under the open sky in Bijligarh, Mardan, Umer Nawab carefully assembles a plate of kachalu, boiled potatoes mixed with spices, sauces, and his signature touch of flair. The stall is simple, the recipe traditional, but the impact has been anything but ordinary. Online, he is known as Pehlwan Kachalu, and his street food story has become a viral sensation. What changed everything was a single video. In it, Umer layered the ingredients one by one, ending with what he calls the final touch of love. His voice, full of energy, carried through the screen. 'TikTok brought people to me,' he says. 'From Lahore, Karachi, even other countries. They saw the video and wanted to try the food.' Before all this, his stall catered to passersby and neighborhood regulars. Now, it draws food vloggers, tourists, and fans who wait in line with their cameras ready. 'It's not just a stall anymore. It's become a brand,' Umer says. His account now has over half a million followers, and several videos have crossed the million-view mark. What draws people in isn't just the food. It's the way he presents it, fast hands, warm banter, a connection to the viewer. 'People trust what they see,' he says. 'They watch me make it with my own hands and feel part of the experience.' Through his videos, Umer also challenges how people see street vendors. He doesn't just serve a snack. He shares a culture, a rhythm, a way of life. 'Kachalu is a Mardan staple, but it also tells a story about where I come from,' says Umer. Now, he interacts with customers online, takes suggestions, and welcomes fans who show up just to say hello. His future plans include expanding his stall, creating his own sauce brand, and continuing to share his journey, one spicy plate at a time. Why it works? There's no branding playbook behind these videos. No scripts, no filters, no polished voiceovers. What draws viewers in, and keeps them watching, is the simplicity of the moment. A vendor speaking with warmth. A home business owner showing their struggle. A halwa maker tossing sweets with a smile. These aren't marketing campaigns. They're people. And in a crowded digital space, that still counts for something. At a time when brands spend millions crafting the perfect online presence, small businesses across Pakistan are showing that sometimes, the most effective content is the kind you don't plan. These videos may be shaky, the lighting inconsistent, but they carry something more powerful, sincerity. 'Big businesses still rely on spending to stay visible on social media,' says Ibtisam Ahmed, a social media marketing manager at a local agency. 'But stories that are original and create a real connection don't need a strategy or a budget. These people speak from the heart, and they have platforms where audiences are already waiting. You just have to be real, and you can reach people organically without spending a penny.' That's the difference. These business owners are not pretending to be anything other than who they are. They don't perform for the camera. They simply invite people into their world, whether it's a roadside stall, a home workspace, or a decades-old sweet shop. The result is a kind of content that feels more like a conversation than a pitch. The afternoon sun filters through the glass panels and Wali carefully seals a packet of almonds, the day's third order for a customer from Lahore. Nearby, two boys are recording a slow-motion video with his walnut display. He watches, smiles briefly, then returns to weighing figs on the scale. There's no script here. Just the quiet rhythm of a shopkeeper who now shares his space with the unexpected fame of the internet. Every now and then, someone asks if he'll make another viral video. But Gul Wali doesn't think in terms of virality. He thinks in terms of fresh stock, clean counters, and greeting whoever walks through the door, whether they saw him on TikTok or just happened to pass by. As another phone camera lifts and the familiar challenge begins again, 'Yeh akhrot na haath se tootega, na truck se', he looks on, not certain if this clip will go viral. But then again, he didn't expect the first one to, either.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
How to reverse your age? Padma Shri awardee doctor who treated 3 Presidents shares a refreshing approach
Age is a Number, But Biology is a Habit The Power of Muscle Memory and Movement MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT Time at Rashtrapati Bhavan What if you could grow older, but feel younger? That's not a fantasy, says Padma Shri awardee and veteran cardiologist Dr. Mohsin Wali — it's science, practice, and a bit of body wisdom. In a recent podcast with Oddsditness, Dr. Wali, who has served as the honorary physician to three Presidents of India, revealed how people in their 50s can actually reverse their biological age, regardless of the number of candles on their to Dr. Wali, the secret to youth isn't locked in expensive serums or silver bullet supplements. It's embedded in your muscles — and more importantly, in the memory of those muscles. Speaking with clarity and conviction, the celebrated cardiologist explained how the body retains the memory of movements, and how this can be harnessed in your 50s to reclaim strength, mobility, and vitality.'You don't need to invent new exercises,' he said. 'Just stick to what your body already knows. You can do the same routines you did at 45 — just adjust the intensity, duration, or frequency. Let your body keep the rhythm, even if the tempo changes.'In the conversation, Dr. Wali emphasized the remarkable ability of the human body to retain its "learned" actions. This phenomenon, often referred to as muscle memory, allows individuals to maintain fitness regimens well into old age without completely reinventing the wheel. It's not about pushing harder — it's about pushing smarter.'Your body knows certain actions,' he said. 'Even subconsciously, it's prepared to execute them. Reduce the time, volume, or strength — but never stop. That continuity is what keeps the biological clock from speeding up.'Dr. Wali's credentials are unmatched in Indian medicine. At just 33, he became the youngest doctor ever to be appointed as honorary physician to a sitting President — R. Venkataraman. He went on to serve Shankar Dayal Sharma and Pranab Mukherjee, becoming the only physician in India's history to serve three heads of state. His role extended beyond clinical care, influencing national health policies and geriatric wellness Wali's message is powerful — and timely. In a world obsessed with staying young, he offers a refreshingly attainable approach: build a habit, maintain the momentum, and trust your body's intelligence.
United News of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
No need to panic because of rising Covid cases, just be cautious: Dr Wali
New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) The Covid cases are rising rapidly and the deaths have alerted us but there is no need to panic, prominent doctor Mohsin Wali has said. Dr. Wali, who has had the unique privilege of serving three Presidents of India -- R. Venkataraman, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, and Pranab Kumar Mukherjee -- said most of the people infected with the virus will have mild to moderate respiratory illness and will not require special treatment. While the potency of the current strain of the Covid virus has increased slightly, there is no need to panic, he says, adding people should, instead, be cautious about its transmission and follow Covid-appropriate behavior. 'This is a respiratory virus, a sars virus, and the current variant is a sub-variant of Omicron. Its spike protein has changed, and it has increased its ability to bind to cells. However, we need to fear not the virus itself but its transmission," he said. 'Fearing transmission means we need to wear masks, use sanitizers, maintain social distancing, and follow covid-appropriate protocols. We should not go directly to (interact with) small children or elderly people after coming home from outside," he suggested. "If you have cough, cold, and fever for more than three days, get tested for covid. If the test is positive, don't panic. Isolate yourself and follow the doctor's advice," he added. People with asthma, cold, and fever along with heart or kidney disease should be cautious and those who have undergone kidney or liver transplant should also be careful. "We don't need to do anything more than this. The government is monitoring it, and whenever there is another variation, it will be caught," he says. UNI AM AKK BM
MTV Lebanon
25-05-2025
- MTV Lebanon
Watch: Driver Opens Fire on Police
An angry driver opened fire on officers in Fairfax, Virginia. The US police released video footage showing what happened and the moment the shots were fired at the officers. In a statement accompanying the video, the Fairfax County Police Department described the incident as an "attempted murder," noting that it ended with the driver's death. According to the details of the incident, when a police officer stopped a man named Jamal Wali (36 years old) for speeding, it was found that his safety inspection sticker had expired. The situation escalated when Wali began yelling and cursing, refusing to give his name and claiming he had no driver's license or license plate. While the officer tried to de-escalate the situation, Wali launched into a tirade filled with profanity about how he was being treated. He said he had contributed a lot to the United States after working as a translator for US forces in Afghanistan. He shouted at the officer: "I should've served with the Taliban."
