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New Wave Global New Wave Global aims to narrate stories from Pakistan, South Asia and the diasporas in the US

10/01/2025

Kashmir on Edge Again: Is this a Gen-Z Uprising in Pak Administered Kashmir?

On September 29, 2025, protests in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu & Kashmir, AJK), turned violent. A shutdown called by the Awami Action Committee over high electricity tariffs, wheat prices, and unfulfilled promises from Islamabad spiraled into chaos when a rival “peace rally” clashed with demonstrators. At least one person was killed and more than 20 were injured, according to police and hospital sources.

This episode of Unraveled with Marvi Sirmed explores:
1. What happened on Sept 29: how the protest began, why violence erupted, and competing claims about who fired first.

2. Government and army responses: subsidies, denials, internet shutdowns, and the securitized framing of protests.

3. Historical context: from the 2024 AJK unrest that left four dead to today’s cycle of broken promises and renewed anger.

4.Human rights and freedoms: why AJK has virtually no independent voices, how dissent is silenced, and why even India-administered Kashmir—despite harsh curbs since 2019—still produces voices of resistance.

5. Regional implications: what the unrest means for Pakistan’s governance crisis, the India–Pakistan information war over Kashmir, and the fragile politics across the Line of Control.

The protests in AJK are about more than electricity bills. They are about freedom, dignity, and accountability in a region caught between two states. Until those issues are addressed, the streets of Muzaffarabad will not remain quiet.

Subscribe for more in-depth analysis of South Asia’s politics, security, and human rights.

09/27/2025

Inside Lahore’s Reservoir Gallery | Huma Ejaz Zaman

Join Huma Ejaz at Reservoir Art Gallery Lahore as she meets NCA graduates and explores bold new perspectives on the thought-provoking ‘Reimagined Eve’.

09/26/2025

Ladakh on Fire: How India’s 2019 Gamble Sparked Demands for Autonomy

On September 24, 2025, protests in Leh, Ladakh, turned deadly, leaving four people killed and dozens injured. The demonstrators demand statehood, Sixth Schedule safeguards, and real autonomy — a struggle rooted in India’s 2019 unilateral reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir.

In this detailed explainer, we trace the story behind Ladakh’s protests:

1. Why Ladakh was carved out of Jammu & Kashmir in 2019, and why many Ladakhis initially welcomed the move.
2. How disenchantment grew by 2021, leading to united protests by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
3. What exactly happened on September 24, 2025, when a peaceful rally turned violent after hunger strikers collapsed, protesters set fire to police vehicles and a BJP office, and police responded with tear gas and live fire.
4. Why job quotas and domicile rules are seen as insufficient without constitutional autonomy.
5. The significance of the Sixth Schedule, which protesters argue is essential for protecting land, culture, and fragile ecology.
6. How the India–China standoff since 2020 created “buffer zones” that cut off Ladakhi herders and fishermen from their livelihoods.
7. The geopolitical stakes: China’s G219 highway through Aksai Chin, Pakistan’s narrative flank, and the role of the US and Quad in Ladakh’s security dynamics.
8. Why climate change and glacier retreat make eco-federalism a security imperative.

We also discuss what to watch next: the October 6 talks with India’s Home Ministry, accountability for the September 24 casualties, and the broader democratic and geopolitical implications.

09/20/2025

On September 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, pledging that an attack on one would be treated as an attack on both. This marks the first time Riyadh has formalized its long-standing security relationship with Islamabad into a treaty-level pact.

In this episode of Unravelled, we examine:

What the pact says and what it leaves unsaid – including the debate over a so-called “nuclear umbrella.”

Saudi Arabia’s motivations: hedging beyond U.S. security guarantees, deterrence against Iranian proxies, and regional prestige.

Pakistan’s calculations: leverage, economic rents, diplomatic weight, but also the risks of entanglement in Gulf conflicts.

Regional implications: stalled Saudi-Israel normalization, Iran’s likely responses, the potential ripple effects on Gulf unity, and how this alters South Asia’s strategic landscape.

Global consequences: U.S. influence in the Middle East, Washington’s non-proliferation concerns, and China’s quiet strategic gains.

09/19/2025

President Trump's Visit To The UK: From secret talks with the PM Keir Starmer to explosive trade deals, we've got the inside scoop on what really went down. Was it a masterclass in diplomacy or a catastrophic mistake? Find out now and discover the surprising twists and turns that will leave you speechless!

09/17/2025

POLITICS OVERSHADOWS SPORTS: India-Pakistan Handshake Controversy Heats Up

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 clash at Dubai International Stadium on September 14. But the real controversy wasn’t on the scoreboard—it was off the field.

No handshake at the toss. No customary handshakes after the match. Pakistan’s captain skipped the presentation. India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam attack, reigniting political debate.

In this episode of Unraveled with Marvi Sirmed, we break down:
1. Why the no-handshake incident is dominating headlines.
2. The role of referee Andy Pycroft and why Pakistan is demanding his removal.
3. Why Indians link the April 2025 Pahalgam attack to Pakistan, citing U.S. terror designations.
4. Pakistani reaction—from Shoaib Akhtar to Rashid Latif to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
5. How cricket diplomacy once bridged divides—and why that peace constituency has shrunk.
6. What the future of India–Pakistan cricket looks like after Dubai 2025.

Don’t miss this deep dive into cricket, politics, and the broken rituals of sportsmanship.

09/12/2025

At the United Nations, Pakistan’s permanent representative, Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, addressed the UN Security Council meeting and, sitting the Israeli delegation right in front of him, humiliated them in every parliamentary way possible. He repeatedly said that the occupying state is a terrorist, despicable, deceitful, and a propagandist—one that does not listen to anyone’s advice, only likes to speak, not hear—but now the time has come for it to develop the habit of listening.

In short, during five minutes of continuous verbal bombardment, the faces of the occupying state’s delegation must have been something to see.
After Pakistan’s representative, the Prime Minister of Qatar also gave quite a lesson. The truth is that the time has now come when the occupying state has lost all international sympathy. Whether Europe, the United States, or Australia, voices against it are rising everywhere—something no one would have even imagined: that there would be voices raised against it in Europe.

09/05/2025

SCO Summit Tianjin 2025 | What the Joint Statement Really Said on Terror, Trade & the Bank

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin ended with a carefully balanced Joint Statement — the Tianjin Declaration. For the first time, the SCO heads of state explicitly condemned three major attacks this year: the April 22 Pahalgam attack in India, and the Jaffar Express hostage incident plus the Khuzdar school-bus bombing in Pakistan. By placing all three in one paragraph, the text gave both New Delhi and Islamabad language they can claim as recognition of their concerns — without attributing blame.

Beyond terrorism, the summit approved the launch of an SCO Development Bank, announced new security centers on counter-terrorism and narcotics, reaffirmed the role of RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure), and adopted texts on multilateral trade, AI, green industry, and sustainable energy. Leaders also used the declaration to oppose unilateral coercive measures and signal against tariff wars — a response to today’s fractured global trade climate.
In this episode, Marvi Sirmed unpacks the Tianjin Declaration clause by clause: what changed after the failed Qingdao defence ministers’ meeting, why symmetry on terrorism matters for South Asia, what the bank could mean in practice, and how the SCO balances symbolism with substance. No spin, no triumphalism — just sharp analysis of what the text really says between the lines.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Unraveled, share this video, and stay tuned for more deep-dives into South Asia’s shifting geopolitics.

09/05/2025

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in Tianjin and the Beijing Victory Day parade sparked heated debates across South Asia. Indian media framed Prime Minister Modi’s long handshakes with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin as a “power huddle,” while Pakistani social media claimed Putin ignored PM Shehbaz Sharif. Both narratives distort the real picture.

In this episode of Unraveled with Marvi Sirmed, we cut through the propaganda with in-depth, fact-based analysis:

1. The Tianjin Declaration condemned the Pahalgam attack in India and the Jaffar Express and Khuzdar school-bus attack in Pakistan.
2. Why the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) ensures balanced references and avoids arbitration.
3. What really happened between Putin and Shehbaz Sharif — and why viral “snub” videos are misleading.
4. Disinformation around Modi’s attendance and the so-called “Chinese statement omission.”
5. Why China’s pageantry and process mattered more than handshakes.
6. How Trump’s tariffs and Washington’s tough talk shaped India’s hedging strategy.
7. Europe’s reading of Xi–Putin–Kim as a direct challenge to the rules-based order.
8. What Pakistan actually gained — textual recognition, bilateral optics, and parade protocol.
9. How the summit reflects the thickening multipolar middle in world politics.

Subscribe for more grounded analysis of South Asia, geopolitics, and global order.

Share your thoughts: Did Tianjin 2025 shift the balance — or was it China’s stage from start to finish?

SCO 2025 Summit: A New Era for Regional CooperationThe recent SCO Summit has marked a significant milestone in regional ...
09/01/2025

SCO 2025 Summit: A New Era for Regional Cooperation

The recent SCO Summit has marked a significant milestone in regional diplomacy, with key highlights that promise to reshape the future of Eurasia. Here's a breakdown of the major takeaways:

Regional Security
- Stronger Joint Action: Leaders pledged to enhance cooperation against terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats.
- Intelligence-Sharing Protocols: New protocols were announced to facilitate real-time information exchange.
- Coordinated Drills: Joint military exercises will be conducted to bolster regional security.

Economic Ties
- Boosting Trade and Investment: SCO nations committed to increasing intra-regional trade and investment.
- Infrastructure Projects: Major projects were greenlit, including energy corridors and transportation networks.
- Regional Financial Cooperation: Efforts to reduce dependence on Western systems were emphasized.

Multipolar World Agenda
- Regional Autonomy: The summit highlighted the importance of regional autonomy and multipolarity in global politics.
- Counterbalance to Western Influence: SCO positioned itself as a counterbalance to Western dominance.

Key Players' Gains
- Pakistan:
- Strengthened regional clout
- Deeper strategic ties with China, Russia, and Central Asian neighbors
- New economic corridors and trade routes
- Enhanced security cooperation
- India:
- Strategic and economic leverage boosted
- Balanced China's growing influence while maintaining ties with Russia
- Trade, investment, and infrastructure opportunities
- Strengthened regional power role
- Russia:
- Eurasian influence solidified
- Key security and economic player in Central and South Asia
- Expanded energy projects and regional partnerships
- Diplomatic support to counter Western pressures

08/27/2025

This week, South Asia’s geopolitics shifted in surprising ways.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi for the first time in three years, where India and China agreed to:

1. Upgrade border consultation mechanisms (WMCC + new expert group)
2. Resume direct flights, reopen trade at Lipulekh, Shipki-La, and Nathu-La passes
3. Restart the Kailash–Manasarovar pilgrimage and issue visas for Chinese citizens
4. Resume high-level exchanges, paving the way for PM Modi’s trip to China for the SCO Summit

From there, Wang Yi traveled to Islamabad, where China and Pakistan unveiled CPEC 2.0 — expanding into industry, agriculture, mining, and livelihood projects. Both sides also agreed to stronger counter-terrorism cooperation, praised the Pakistan Army as a pillar of stability, and launched a trilateral dialogue with the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in Washington, President Trump is punishing India with 50% tariffs on key exports while showing unusual warmth toward Pakistan — lowering tariffs and opening doors for energy and mineral cooperation.

And in a rare move, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar visited Dhaka, the highest-level Pakistani visit to Bangladesh in over a decade. The two sides discussed new trade and knowledge initiatives, even as Dhaka raised demands for a 1971 apology.

What does all this mean? Is South Asia moving toward a new multipolar balance — or just tactical maneuvering in a cycle of mistrust?

In this episode of Unraveled with Marvi Sirmed, we analyze:

1. The outcomes of Wang Yi’s visits to India and Pakistan
2. The meaning of CPEC 2.0 and Pakistan’s dual-track with China and the U.S.
3. Trump’s harsh new line on India and its impact on Delhi’s strategy
4. The Pakistan–Bangladesh thaw and what it means for the region
5. How these moves could reshape the South Asian chessboard

Subscribe for in-depth analysis of South Asia’s geopolitics, democracy, and security.

08/26/2025

Pakistani Scientist's MIND-BLOWING Achievement in China: 40% Crop Yield Boost

Meet Mohammed Khalid Hamid, a Pakistani scientist who's making waves in China! From lab to field, he's turned research into results, boosting crop yields by up to 40% and strengthening China-Pakistan ties. Get inspired by his incredible journey!

Video Source: Source: CGTN Radio

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