In a world increasingly polarized by power, privilege, and propaganda, two young political figures—Zohran Mamdani in the United States and Suhail Afridi in Pakistan—are emerging as the faces of a new, defiant leadership of the Global South. Their stories, though separated by continents and contexts, are bound by a shared spirit of resistance, humility, and hope. Both men, barely in their thirties, are challenging entrenched establishments backed, directly or indirectly, by the same global power centers—and, perhaps most symbolically, by the political legacy of Donald Trump.
Parallel Frontlines of Resistance
In Queens, New York, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and member of the New York State Assembly, has become a lightning rod for America’s progressive awakening. Son of immigrants, Mamdani represents a new generation of Americans unafraid to speak truth to power. His politics cut against the grain of Washington’s entrenched corporate and military interests, especially his outspoken criticism of U.S. foreign policy and its unwavering support for Israel. In doing so, he has ignited fierce loyalty among young, justice-minded voters—and equally fierce opposition from powerful lobbies that see him as a threat to the status quo.
Read more: Trump, Tel Aviv, and Rawalpindi: The Generals’ Desperate Gamble to Stop Imran Khan
Thousands of miles away in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Suhail Afridi has risen through the ranks of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—the populist movement founded by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. A son of the tribal belt, Afridi’s journey from the rugged terrain of Khyber to the Chief Minister’s office represents not just personal triumph but a broader political awakening in Pakistan’s peripheries. Like Mamdani, Afridi finds himself pitted against an establishment that has long dominated national politics through the nexus of military, business, and foreign influence.
The Trump factor
Both Zohran and Suhail are, in their own arenas, confronting forces that are backed by Donald Trump, directly or indirectly. In America, Mamdani’s adversaries draw strength from Trump’s anti-immigrant, anti-muslim, and anti-anything that is not white.
In Pakistan, Suhail Afridi faces a power structure that has grown increasingly aligned with the Trumpian worldview—marked by militarism, nationalism, and a transactional approach to governance. It is no coincidence that Trump’s political allies and foreign policy loyalists have expressed admiration for Pakistan’s current power centers, which seek to suppress populist dissent and restore elite control.
Reinvigorating the Political Landscape
For all their differences, both leaders share a rare political gift—the ability to reinvigorate their parties from within. In the United States, Mamdani has breathed new life into the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. At a time when mainstream Democrats are accused of drifting toward complacency and corporate compromise, Zohran has reintroduced moral clarity to the debate. His unapologetic advocacy for housing justice, labor rights, and an ethical foreign policy has galvanized young activists who had long disengaged from establishment politics. His influence extends beyond his district—he symbolizes a generational shift within the Democratic Party toward authenticity and ideological conviction.
Similarly, in Pakistan, Suhail Afridi has emerged as a unifying force within PTI, a party battered by state repression and internal fractures following the ouster and imprisonment of Imran Khan. While many within PTI have struggled to navigate an environment of censorship and coercion, Afridi’s calm resilience and grassroots connection have inspired renewed confidence. His leadership represents the continuity of PTI’s populist spirit—anchored in Khan’s message of justice, sovereignty, and civilian supremacy—but adapted to the realities of a movement under siege.
In both Queens and Khyber, these young leaders have rekindled belief among their followers that politics can still be a moral enterprise.
Grounded in Humility, Guided by People
Perhaps what binds Zohran Mamdani and Suhail Afridi most profoundly is their humility and modest origins. Mamdani’s immigrant parents worked tirelessly to establish themselves in New York, instilling in him a deep empathy for working-class struggles. That grounding shapes his politics—he speaks the language of those who live paycheck to paycheck, who fight against gentrification, who demand dignity in labor and fairness in representation. He represents a generation of Americans for whom “identity politics” is not a slogan but a lived reality of resilience and community.
Suhail Afridi’s humility stems from his tribal upbringing, far removed from Pakistan’s urban elite politics. His rise from the grassroots of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa student politics to the corridors of provincial power embodies the aspiration of millions who have long felt marginalized. He retains an almost disarming accessibility; people see in him a reflection of their own hopes. That, in essence, is his greatest strength—he does not speak for the people; he speaks from them.
Both leaders are deeply grounded, and both have their finger on the pulse of their respective societies. They navigate politics not as detached elites but as insiders of the struggle. It is this authenticity that has allowed them to connect with constituencies often dismissed or forgotten by traditional power brokers.
Lightning Rods of Polarization
Yet, their authenticity has come at a price. Both Mamdani and Afridi have provoked extreme reactions—passionate support on one side and bitter opposition on the other. For Mamdani, the backlash has been brutal: accusations of extremism, threats of censorship, and efforts to marginalize him within party structures. For Afridi, the pressure is even more existential. The Pakistani establishment, backed by powerful foreign patrons, views him as a symbol of resistance—a young leader unwilling to play by the rules of subservience.
In both cases, the polarization they inspire is a measure of their impact. They have shattered the comfortable consensus that allows power to perpetuate itself. They have forced societies to confront uncomfortable truths: about who controls narratives, whose voices are silenced, and whose futures are sacrificed at the altar of expediency.
The Divergence: A Mentor and a Movement
But there is one fundamental difference between these two rising stars.
Zohran Mamdani’s rise is largely self-forged within the fertile grounds of New York’s grassroots activism. His leadership is that of a lone torchbearer inspiring others.
Suhail Afridi’s emergence, on the other hand, is nurtured by a larger struggle—the historic resistance led by Imran Khan against Pakistan’s entrenched military establishment. Khan’s unwavering defiance, even from behind prison walls, has created an environment in which new leaders like Afridi can emerge. Suhail’s leadership is therefore not just personal—it is institutionalized resistance, carrying forward a movement that aspires to redefine the social contract between state and citizen.
Where Mamdani represents the ideological vanguard of a progressive American awakening, Afridi stands as the embodiment of a generational Pakistani rebellion against authoritarianism. One battles Wall Street and the war lobby; the other defies the might of the barracks and bureaucracy. Both, however, are part of the same global realignment—the rise of leaders from the margins, speaking the language of justice, empathy, and people’s power.
A Shared Future
As the Global South reclaims its voice in the 21st century, figures like Zohran Mamdani and Suhail Afridi embody its promise. Their journeys suggest that leadership today is no longer defined by privilege, but by purpose. They remind the world that courage, conviction, and connection to ordinary people can still challenge even the most entrenched systems of power.
From Queens to Khyber, the message is clear: the Global South is not waiting for permission to lead—it already is.
Orhan Khan is a Strategic Communication Expert involved in consulting on marketing and branding strategies for different international corporations. Can be reached at orhankhan1366@proton.me
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication and its editor.