Political Critiques and Power Dynamics within Pakistani Society: A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of Pakistani Drama "Ishq Murshid"

Abstract

This research paper proposes examining postmodern political power in the Pakistani Urdu television drama “Ishq Murshid” (2023), employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as its theoretical framework that is utilized to examine how the drama reflects, reinforces, and critiques political matters and power dynamics within Pakistani society. The study's main objective is to analyze how the selected drama portrays political power, ideology, and resistance and examine the implications of political narratives and political realities in Pakistani discourse. This study is based on the qualitative method and systematically identifies and interprets political discourse within the political narrative, exploring the themes of authority, power, corruption, and social injustices represented in all the episodes of “Ishq Murshid.”. This study uses the tools and techniques for analysis including thematic coding, discourse markers identification, and critical contextualization of dialogues and narrative structures. The study aims to contribute to understanding the media's role in shaping and reflecting political discourse in South Asia, mainly through the lens of popular Urdu drama. The findings of the study of “Ishq-e-Murshid” critique Pakistan's political and social structures, highlighting corruption, moral resistance, and power dynamics. It critiques stereotypes, societal mistrust, and the role of family and legacy.