Constructing National Identity through Political Discourse: A Critical Analysis of Imran Khan’s Speeches

Abstract

The current research analyses the discursive structure of national identity across Imran Khan's political speeches when he was serving as Pakistan's Prime Minister and was leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Using Critical Discourse Analysis (Fairclough) and theories from van Dijk and Smith the investigation analyzes Khan's rhetorical construction of collective identity while building public support and defining national morality and ideology. Selected speeches from the period of 2013–2022 undergo qualitative analysis to identify the persistent themes of Islamic revivalism, justice, anti-corruption, national sovereignty and youth empowerment. Through religious symbolism and historical narratives and populist rhetoric Imran Khan presents 'Naya Pakistan' which represents a reimagined nation with Islamic values alongside self-reliance and ethical governance principles. His speeches act beyond being political communication by functioning as performative acts which create unity within the nation by establishing an external and internal distinction of self from other. This research enhances scholarly understanding of post-colonial political discourse by showing how leadership rhetoric bridges between state-propagated narratives and collective identity formation.