Constructing Ideology through Hate: A Discourse Analysis of Pakistani Politics

Abstract

This study investigates the implicit ideologies and discursive devices in Pakistani political leaders' speeches, focusing on how hate speech influences ideological divides and public mobilisation. Political hate speech has become prevalent in Pakistan, with leaders using polarising language to deepen societal divides and delegitimise opponents. This study examines the linguistic strategies underlying this trend. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and van Dijk’s socio-cognitive framework, this qualitative analysis reviews fifteen speeches by leaders from Pakistan's major political parties: PTI, PML-N, and PPP. Discursive devices, such as presuppositions, metaphors, and lexical choices, are analysed for their ideological impact. Findings reveal that strategic language choices embed assumptions, evoke emotions, and frame oppositional narratives, shaping public perception and consolidating ideological stances. Policymakers should discourage hate speech in political discourse, and educational programmes in critical media literacy are recommended to help the public discern manipulative language in political narratives.