Political Discourse and the Public Response on the ‘Regime Change’ in Pakistan (2022): A Thematic Analysis of Twitter Handles of the Leading Politicians

Abstract

During March and April of 2022 Pakistan saw yet another political upheaval when a sitting government was toppled with the help of a ‘No-Confidence Motion’ jointly initiated by almost all of the political parties in the opposition. Pakistan Democratic Movement claimed the success of NCM as the win of democracy while the then Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Mr. Imran Khan argued that the motion was a result of conspiracy initiated by internal and external elements. Both the PDM and PTI took to the Twitter to spread their narratives regarding the ‘regime change’ in Pakistan. The ‘political discourse’ was widely and vigorously discussed, supported, and criticized by the netizens around the country. This research endeavor is an attempt to explore and analyze the predominant themes within the political discourse produced through Twitter handles of the selected politicians. Secondly, to explore and analyze the predominant themes within the public response regarding the ‘regime change’ during April 10th to 14th, 2022. Keeping in view the research objectives the thematic analysis has been employed as a theoretical and methodological tool to explore and analyze the predominant themes within the ‘political discourse’ and ‘public response’ regarding the ‘regime change’ in Pakistan. The findings show that the ‘public response’ reflected, supported and replicated the ‘political discourse’ of Mr. Imran Khan regarding the ‘regime change’ in Pakistan during April 2022.