Waseem Barelvi is a celebrated contemporary Urdu poet. His ghazals are soulful and evocative. His poetry talks to readers of all ages with its simplicity, deep emotions, and lyrical beauty. He is sought after for his mastery over the delicate emotions he incorporates into intricate verses, in which he often dwells upon love, loss, longings, and the condition of humanity. His metaphors and imagery rich ghazals hold an appeal throughout the ages. These capture attention on issues ranging from personal to social concerns. Simultaneously, in terms of its affinity, these hold deep classical traditions and flavors of Urdu.

Barring poetic skill, another great contribution by Waseem Barelvi has been the promotion of Urdu. He is a Vice-Chairman of the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), where he worked for the promotion of Urdu literature, culture, and education all over India. Under his leadership, NCPUL has been working on developing educational programs, books, and cultural events to celebrate the heritage of the language. His efforts would go a long way in ensuring the Urdu language lives on as an integral part of India's linguistic and cultural heritage.

His work also represents a great deal of regard for Urdu's exalted literary legacy, which has been accessed by people through his advocacy about the language. He is considered one of the great writers in this contemporary Urdu poetry and culture.