Pakistan People's Party Research Articles

Post-Truth Politics: An Analysis of News Channel’s Coverage of Political Leaders’ Speeches in Public Processions in Pakistan

This study attempts to find out the symptoms of post-truth political culture — politics of emotions rather than rational political debate — in the context of Pakistan. The data in the form of political speeches of politicians from March to July 2022 was taken from Youtube. Political speeches of leaders of four main political parties of Pakistan were analyzed: Imran Khan from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Maryam Nawaz from Pakistan Muslim league (PML-N), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Maulana Fazal Ur Rehman from Jamiat-Ulema-Islami (JUI-F). Using the quantitative content analysis method, the content of 26 speeches, consisting of almost 854 minutes, was broken down into nine categories: policy, facts, false statements, religion, party, promises, performance, public issues, and opposition. Agenda setting theory laid the theoretical approach to observe post-truth dilemmas in political speeches in the public processions. The observed categories were compared across all politicians descriptively: the speeches had 2% facts; 4% false statements; 5% discussion on policy making; 41% arguments attacking the opponent political party; 12% religious references; 12% promises; 10% arguments were about the leader’s own political party; 5% were based on their past performance; whilst, only 9% addressed the public issues.

Political and Public Discourse in the backdrop of 'Regime Change' in Pakistan (2022): A Thematic Analysis of the Facebook pages of PTI, PML-N and PPP

In today’s day and age, the social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have converted a rather conventionally one way ‘political communication’ process into an effective and influential two-way communication process. This two-way communication process has an impact on the political communication phenomenon all around the world. Bearing in mind this aspect the researcher has attempted to explore how and to what extent the ‘public discourse’ matched or differed from the ‘political discourse’ regarding the political ‘regime change’ in Pakistan that took place in the first half of the April 2022. Employing the ‘Framing’ as theoretical basis the researcher has attempted to determine how the ‘regime change’ was framed in the political and public discourse. The researcher has employed thematic analysis as methodological tool in this study to identify, analyze and interpret the meanings within the political and public discourse in the backdrop of the ‘regime change’ appeared in the Facebook pages of the top three political parties in Pakistan i.e. Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Investigating the Framing of the Tweets of Three Leading Political Parties of Pakistan

Online media let politicians speak with their crowd straightforwardly, especially during political proceedings. This study examined the media frames Pakistani politicians used while covering a Twitter political campaign in the Kashmir election. The study contained content analysis. This study mainly examined the three political parties, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and political representatives Imran Khan, Bilawal Zardari, and Mariam Nawaz’s political tweets. Tweets were collected from 25th June to 25th July 2021 and revealed eight frames (Word choice, Metaphors, Exemplars, Descriptions, Arguments, Visual Images, Depict, and Catchphrases) with different percentages in the relevant tweets. Results further indicated that Politicians use the hashtag in their official tweets. PPP used more metaphors than PMLN and PTI. PPP used more Catchphrases than PMLN and PTI. PTI used more word choices than PMLN and PPP. PMLN comparatively used more frames than PTI and PPP. PTI used more visual images than PMLN and PPP. Maryam Nawaz used more metaphors in comparison to Imran Khan and Bilawal Zardari. Imran Khan used more word choices than Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Zardari. Maryam Nawaz used more Visual Images while tweeting than Bilawal Zardari and Imran Khan. Additionally, there were similarities between political leaders’ tweets and their official party page tweets. The frames that political representative’s emphasis is different from their party tweets’ frame strategy. Thus, this study concluded that the research findings specify that the choosing Twitter was a significant framing tool for campaigning and was resourcefully used to disseminate campaign apprises, endorse political accomplishments, and staying connected with the potential followers.

DECLINE OF PPP IN THE PUNJAB DURING ELECTION 2013 AND 2018, THE ROOT CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCE

This research paper examines the decline of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the province of Punjab during the general elections of 2013 and 2018. The paper aims to identify the root causes behind the declining popularity of the PPP in Punjab and analyze the consequences of this decline on the party's political standing. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Primary and secondary data sources, including interviews, surveys, and archival records, are used to gather relevant information. The findings shed light on the factors contributing to the PPP's decline, such as internal party dynamics, electoral strategies, socio-political environment, and voter perceptions. Furthermore, the paper discusses the consequences of the decline for the PPP, its role in Punjab's political landscape, and potential implications for the party's future. The study concludes by offering recommendations for the PPP to address the identified root causes and regain electoral support in Punjab.

Women's political participation in the socio-cultural environment of Pakistan: A critical review of mainstream political parties (2018-2022)

Although women make up half of Pakistan's population, their participation in politics has historically been limited. While women today are more politically active and articulate than in the past, their involvement is still hindered by various factors, including patriarchal structures, a genderbiased socio-cultural environment, and a conservative interpretation of Islam. This study utilizes qualitative methods to assess the participation of women as voters and candidates by examining the roles of far-right (Jamaate-Islami), central (Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf) and left (Pakistan People Party Parliamentarian) political parties in the 2008, 2013, and 2018 elections. Relevant secondary sources, including the selected parties' manifestos, have been analyzed through content analysis to establish the appropriate context. The research findings indicate that although regulatory efforts aim to increase women's representation, political parties frequently prioritize female candidates with preexisting political backgrounds. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the parties' ideological positions significantly impact their dedication to female political participation and representation. Although political parties have made some progress in improving women's representation and participation in elections, it is clear that a significant and ongoing dedication is necessary to close the gender gap in political engagement.

Center-Sindh Relations in Pakistan after the 18th Amendment: Anatomy of Executive Federalism Under the PTI Government 2018–2022

Abstract This article examines the practice of Center-Province interaction in Pakistan by analyzing intergovernmental relations (IGR) between the federal (i.e., Center) and Sindh provincial governments. It focuses on the period when the Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaaf (PTI) was in power at the Center (i.e., 2018–2022). Analyzing executive federalism and provincial governments is an understudied area of research in Pakistan. I provide an overview of the emerging literature on IGR and map out the institutional architecture of federalism in Pakistan. I pay special attention to platforms for managing Center-Province conflict, especially the Council of Common Interests (CCI). I then trace the trajectory of provincial autonomy in Sindh in the context of Pakistan’s centralized federation. My focus is on the impact of 2010 18th Amendment on regional power and the management of executive relations. I explore the critical issues of discord between the federal government of the PTI and the provincial one of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh. My analysis reflects continuing dominance of the Center and its linkage with party politics in the framework of executive interactions between governments at the two levels, characterized by a significant differential in their authority. I argue that constitutional devolution needs to be cushioned by a corresponding decentralization of powers to provinces like Sindh in the administrative and financial sectors.

Challenges and Opportunities in Pakistan-US Relations and it’s Impact on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

This article illumination on Pakistan-US relations and various aspects of their common history. There have been many vicissitudes throughout history, which have led to the phenomena of trust and mistrust as well as perceptions and misperceptions. An outline of this research has been prepared with regard to the relations between convergence and divergence of interests. Due to numerous and complex factors, the history of relations between Pakistan and the US has often moved in a roller coaster pattern. The two state’s bilateral relations affected by this multifaceted relationship, which has two distinct co-dependency and trust deficit methods. This article aims to highlight the issues of miscellaneous opinions and policies between Pakistan and the US over the distinctive national and international contexts that directly link the interests of the two parties and outline causes of interaction between them to survive during essential times of vicissitudes. This article described the convergent and divergent in Pak-US relations and this complex of two-pronged affair starting with the history of relations by the end of Musharraf's reign and beginning with the Pakistan People's Party govt. The current study has examined internal and external connections relating to Pakistan's national security in interactions with the United States and its effect on or implications for Pakistan's foreign policy.

EVOLUTION OF THE CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP IN PAKISTAN IN THE POST-COVID ERA

Pakistan has been ruled by military regimes for almost half of its history. Since the first coup in 1958, the military has experimented with a variety of political strategies and models of civil-military relations, including purely military rule and various forms of hybrid regimes. The military's attitude toward Islam has also evolved over time. Since 1947, the military has recognized the role of religion as the basis of national identity and has sought to integrate it into official propaganda despite the diversity of conceptions. The nature of the relationship between political parties and the military underlies recent political evolution. The 2018 general elections saw Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) prevail in large part due to the support it received from the military establishment. The military chose to support PTI as an alternative to the two main national parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), with which the military has been at odds for nearly two decades. However, the 2018 elections showed that the military's ability to control the political scene is limited. Indeed, the PML-N and PPP have maintained their traditional strongholds in Punjab and Sind. Despite the support of the military, the PTI only managed to prevail in the elections with a slight majority. The crisis of Imran Khan's government between 2020 and 2022 was due to three main factors: divisions between the parties in the ruling coalition; mismanagement of the emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and the PTI and military's differing view of economic cooperation with Beijing and particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This situation led to a conflict between PTI and the military and the no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022 that ousted Imran Khan from power.

Building Bridges and Shaping Policies: A Comparative Study of Organizational Structures and Policy Implementation in the Pakistan People's Party and Liberal Party of Canada (1971-1978)

Building Bridges and Shaping Policies: A Comparative Study of Organizational Structures and Policy Implementation in the Pakistan People's Party and Liberal Party of Canada (1971-1978)

An Analysis of Taliban Conflict in daily Dawn during Three Regimes in Pakistan

This study analyzes news reports on the Taliban conflict published in the daily Dawn newspaper to identify the factors responsible for shifts in press narratives in an environment of diverse and conflicting voices over the period 2001-2015. The study shows different reporting patterns during the governments of the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-i-Azam, PML (Q) led by President Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). Using quantitative content analysis and using the conceptual framework of political contest theory, this study examines how the competing positions of political actors were mediated by the journalistic agency. The results show that the selected newspaper treated the official and dissenting sources differently during different regimes, meaning that press support for official or dissenting sources constantly changed according to the changing political environment. In addition, the results related to the press's treatment of tones in headlines indicate that the positive, negative, and neutral trend toward government policies during the Taliban conflict in different regimes did not remain static and was constantly changing. Keywords: State-Press Relations, War, Taliban Conflict, Newspapers, Content Analysis, Political Contest Theory

Dialogic Interaction and Cyber Democracy: A Study of Twitter Accounts of Pakistani Politicians

Social media use equalizes the power among public and politicians, which promotes cyber democracy. This study explores dialogic interaction between Pakistani politicians and the public by examining Twitter accounts of politicians of major parties i.e., Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML (N), and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for the year of 2021. It was hypothesized that among dialogic interaction features, it is more likely that conversations of visitors, usefulness of information, and the style of dialogic interaction will be the dominant features as compared to dialogic loop in Twitter accounts of Pakistani politicians. Content analysis was conducted on twitter accounts of Pakistani politicians (two politicians from each party). Total number of tweets during the selected time was 5421 from which 989 tweets were selected for analysis. The result showed that politicians are using usefulness of information followed by a style of dialogic interaction, dialogic loop and conversation of visitors. The results do not support hypothesis as dialogic loop is not least used feature in tweets of Pakistani politicians.

A Historical Analysis of the Sindhī-Muḥājir Ethnic Conflict (1947-2000): Struggles and Shifts

This research paper is a historical analysis of the Sindhi-Mohajir conflict in Sindh, since the creation of Pakistan to the end of the twentieth century. The paper argues that after independence in 1947 the influx of immigrants from India was officially diverted from Punjab to Sindh, resulting in a drastic ethnic transformation in the region. The increased number of Urdu-speaking immigrants with strong economic and political status caused sense of deprivation among the local Sindhi-speaking people. This deprivation paved the way for the ethnic political parties that gave rise to the ethnicity-based conflicts. The central argument claims that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s politics played the most significant role in intensifying the Sindhi-Mohajir conflict in Sindh. To support this argument qualitative research method is used and the historical analysis is weaved with the help of secondary sources.

Exploring Political Polarization, Shaming and Ideology through Tweeting: A Critical Perspective

The present study is an attempt to identify and address political polarization and shaming in the language of the political discourse of Pakistan on social media. It is an endeavour to examine the hidden patterns in the linguistic choices of politicians for the production, maintenance, and prorogation of their institutional identities. The methodological framework of the study is Norman Fairclough’s (1995) three-dimensional model of critical discourse analysis which is employed to analyze polarization and shaming in the language of social media by focusing on the General Assembly Elections of Gilgit-Baltistan held on November 15, 2020. The data has been taken from the Twitter accounts of three parties and their representatives including Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif), and Pakistan People's Party. The research data is related to political discourse as it consists of linguistic elements regarding the production, development, dissemination, and maintenance of power, ideology and institutional value. The findings of this study unfold that discourse is an integral component of every individual, group, institute, and nation that produces, promotes and maintains the ideological identity through legitimizing their actions and executing their power. Furthermore, tweets are constructed, formulated, propagated, maintained, and legitimized through ideologically guided power structures and discursive patterns.

Ideological Underpinning of Political Slogans of Mainstream Political Parties of Pakistan: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Language is not merely a means of communication; it is also a carrier of the ideology of the people who speak it though it may not be easily discernible at times. This implies that language and ideology bear a very close relationship with each other. The present study reports how language and ideology are interwoven in the form of slogans found in the political gatherings and rallies of three mainstream political parties of Pakistan: PMLN(Pakistan Muslim League, N),PPP(Pakistan People's Party) and PTI(Pakistan Tehreek –e- Insaf). To critically analyse the selected slogans,methods of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) offered by Van Dijk and specific meanings which are not clear to the ordinary audience. The present study also aimed at finding out how the hidden ideology manipulates the judgements and reaction of the public.

An Analysis of the Role of 13th National Assembly (2008-2013) in the Constitutional and Political Development of Pakistan

In order to fulfill the administrative requirements of the military regime, General Pervaiz Musharraf (1999-2008) transformed the parliamentary form of government as originally provided by the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan into a quasi-presidential system. Afterwards, the government of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) tried to revive the constitution in its original form. During its term of five years, it not only successfully incorporated 18th, 19th, and 20th Constitutional Amendments but also kept the 13th National Assembly (2008-2013) more functional in terms of ordinary legislation mainly focusing on the socio-political welfare of the general public. Another milestone that was achieved during the said period was the approval of the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. The current study intends to review the functioning of the federal legislature during the said term of PPP in order to assess whether or not the Assembly effectively represented the general will by formulating public policies or worked as mere debating house. A descriptive and analytical methodology is used to find the conclusion. It has been revealed that the said Assembly remained vigorously active and functional during the 2008-2013 tenure of PPP government. Besides passing the abovementioned crucial Constitutional Amendments, it preferred to legislate for the welfare of general people particularly of women.

SOCIO-POLITICAL CONSTRUCTS OF DYNASTIC POLITICAL ELITES OF PAKISTAN

The dynastic political elites are those individuals who are descendants of the major political party. In the case of Pakistan, it is the PPP and PML (N), both political parties PPP and PML (N) has increased its campaign-led behavior by citing the leadership charisma of the people, party identity and economic and educational reforms in party manifesto. During the years 1988-2013, only two parties were associated with Pakistan electoral system including PMLN and PPP who took control of the assembly by winning the election. The paper aims to highlight the circumstances in which the people vote for the electoral party during the election. The broader interpretive research design was used to collect data from 30 voters, i.e. 10 voters of PPP, 10 voters of PML-N and 10 voters of other parties who casted their votes during the elections of 1988 to 2013. The findings of the study suggest that party age and political socialization played vital role in determining the voters’ affiliation with the party. However, respondents found unclear while reporting their party choices for the elections of 2018. Keywords: Dynastic Political Elites, Election Campaign, Party Manifesto, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Panama Leaks Case, 2016: Reaction of PPP as Parliamentary Opposition towards PML (N) Government

The Panama Papers, which number nearly 11.5 million pages, were leaked in private. This paper revisited the Panama papers leaks and the connection of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from PML (N) in it. As a result of the leaks, Pakistan's Supreme Court heard a significant case against Nawaz Sharif, the country's prime minister, and the opposition parties responded to the case in different ways. This paper particularly revealed the reaction of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as a major opposition party in the Parliament of Pakistan towards the PML (N) Government. This paper presented the views of major PPP leaders and legislatures about the Panama Leaks Case. This study uses the qualitative technique and is based on the collection of both primary and secondary data. Selected interviews of politicians, held in 2021 conducted as primary data, and journal publications and largely trustworthy newspaper articles were selected as secondary data.

Reflections of Charter of Democracy, 2006 in Zardari Era: A Critical Appraisal

The two leading political parties of Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N)'s leaders, had passed some bitter political experiences. Both the parties also learnt a lesson from their respective exiles by President Musharraf and agreed to conclude the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in 2006 in London to strengthen the culture of democracy in Pakistan. However, the demise of Benazir Bhutto in 2007 paved the way for the PPP's newleadership, Asif Ali Zardari, to rule the country after the victory in the2008 General Elections. This paper attempts to highlight the main pledges of CoD and analyze its manifestations in the Zardari era from2008 to 2013. The paper also points out how Zardari, to a certain extent, competently used the CoD to complete the tenure of PPP. In response, the main party in CoD also honored the principle of charter and played a constructive role as a major opposition party in the Parliament of Pakistan during the Zardari era.

AWAMI NATIONAL PARTY’S GOVERNMENT IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (2008-2013): HURDLES, STRENGTHS, AND WEAKNESSES

Pakistan is a federation having a center and four units (provinces). One of its four units is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Having a heterogeneous and pluralistic society, Pakistan has developed a multi- political party system. Therefore, different political parties contest general elections at provincial and national level with their own manifestoes. Since inception, right-wing politics has been dominated in the political structure of Pakistan. With the passage of time, some of the left-wing political parties have also strengthened their footsteps in the country. Currently, one of the major left-wing political parties is Awami National Party (ANP) with socialist ideology. It originated in KP and its socialist ideology has been floated in some parts of Balochistan as well as some other parts of the country in chunks. The basic aim of ANP is to raise the voice for lower strata of the society. From 1986 till 2018, it contested different general elections and secured multiple seats at provincial and national level. Though, in the general elections of 2008, it got a high number of seats by winning 48 seats out of total 124 seats in provincial assembly of KP. However, lacking simple majority, it was unable to form a government in KP independently. Resultantly, it formed coalition government with the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) in KP. During the period of its five year of government (2008-2013), it had made various legislations for the well-being of the people of KP. However, it faced different obstacles in the way of its progress due to its socialist and secular ideology. This research explores that to what extent ANP was successful in implementing its policies and what were the hurdles that hindered its way in implementing its policies during its ruling tenure in KP? Keywords: Government, Rightists, Leftists, Party Politics, General Elections, Manifesto.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL MOBILIZATION: FOLLOWING OF FACEBOOK AND TWITTER CONTENTS FLOATED BY PAKISTANI POLITICAL PARTIES FROM 1ST JUNE – 30TH JUNE 2021

Social media is a direct source of communication that tries to connect people across the globe through text messages, video, and audio calling. In Pakistan, the use of social media has exponentially increased during the last decade. More people have access to social media and smart phones. Some network services in Pakistan are even providing free services to some social media platforms such as Facebook. This has made social media a leading channel through which politicians reach the public. They do it for the purpose of influencing constituents’ opinions, recruiting volunteers and donors, and mobilizing voters. This study is an attempt in line with the same proposition. The current research makes use of contents analysis techniques. The study explores how major political parties; Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), Pakistan People Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek – E- Insaaf (PTI) and their respective leaders reach; Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Imran Khan reach the public through their social media platforms to convey their messages. Political contents in the form of Facebook posts and tweets of the three major Pakistani political parties and their leaders during one month period are collected. Responses to the collected posts and tweets in terms of like, share, comments and re-tweets are quantified accordingly. The number of responses to political contents of a particular party and its leaders are taken as efforts towards political mobilization of the social media users. The findings suggest Imran Khan as the better followed leader on Facebook and Twitter than Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif, whereas, PMLN as political party was followed more than PPP and PTI. Keywords: Twitter, Facebook, Political Mobilization, Political Parties, Political Contents