A Critical Discourse Analysis of Women’s Narrativization in Extreme Discourse: A Comparative Study of Islamist and Populist Narratives in Punjab, Pakistan

This study aimed to explore the representation of women’s roles in extreme discourse within Punjab, Pakistan while inclining towards a comparative analysis of Islamist and populist narratives. Availing on the discursive and sociocultural dimensions of Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this qualitative study concentrated on revealing these ideological frameworks constructing public perceptions towards the role of women in society. Data comprised of 20 populist and 16 Islamist texts via purposive sampling collected from public speeches, newspaper articles, parliamentary debates, and religious gatherings where the sources were screened for ideological content relevant to the research questions. Through the examination of language superficially, and the ideologies and sociopolitical contexts extensively, the study aimed to reveal the dynamics of power and gender in these extreme discourses. The analysis involved thematic and narrative analysis to identify recurring themes as well as narrative patterns, capturing both moralistic and strategic framing of women’s roles and exclamatory voices. Findings revealed that the Islamist discourse in Pakistan tends to emphasize moralistic portrayal of women rooted in religious cores with populist narratives predominantly reflecting political biases, representing women based on factional affiliations and treating the common female populace in a diplomatic style. This study contributes to gender studies and discourse analysis, offering insights into the local socio-political and cultural factors impacting gender representation. By highlighting how these extreme narratives contribute in determining female identities, the research provides implications for advocacy, policymaking, and future discourse studies, encouraging more balanced portrayals that respect women’s voices within ideological contexts of Pakistan.