Interplay of Language, Power and Political Discourses in Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Case Study of Speech Diplomacy of Imran Khan

Abstract

The practice of populist narratives in foreign policy has remained a substantial feature of Pakistani politics as political and state elite are used to employing such political discourses to attract masses for political and electoral advantages. However, these political discourses originating from populist narratives are not just confined to domestic politics but developed consequences for foreign policy choices of Pakistan. The former Pakistani cricket player and politician; Imran khan is known for his charm and straightforward talk around the globe. He has always remained the centre of attention not only in Pakistani media but got tremendous coverage on international level. Many of his forthright statements as Prime Minister of Pakistan provoked widespread reactions, affecting Pakistan’s relation with certain countries, and indicated the altered directions of Pakistan’s foreign policy while bringing hardships for Pakistan as well as new opportunities. The case study examines the selected speeches of former prime minister of Pakistan; Imran Khan (August 2018- April 2022) at international forums to assess that how populist narratives have been pronounced in his speeches at international forums through argumentation discourse. This paper primarily focuses on the relationship of public oratory of Imran khan and assertion of diplomatic narratives of Pakistan. The underlying study is qualitative in nature and primarily critical discourse analysis has been incorporated to extract the meaning, intention and direction of Imran Khan’s selected speeches, structure and strategy of talk within the political and strategic context of Pakistan’s foreign policy and its resultant outcomes.