Canadian Social Science
A Comparative Study of Social Media’s Religiopolitical Use by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)
Abstract
The political abuse of social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) has further complicated the religiopolitical dynamics in Pakistan. This study intends to understand the use of Facebook and X in the political journey of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), a mainstream political party, and Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religiopolitical party. A comparative literature review was conducted to critically analyze the peer-reviewed literature to identify the ways PTI and TLP have used Facebook and X to establish and nurture their political ideologies, particularly among youth. The findings of the content analysis revealed that both parties significantly benefitted from Facebook and X to project their political agenda, instill religion (Islam) in their political campaigns, and organize massive (violent) protests. The paper also provides contextual knowledge on social media platforms like Facebook and X being used in religiopolitical discourses and influencing the political attitude of netizens, particularly youth. This study argues that social media has shifted Pakistan’s political dynamics such as electioneering, voter campaigns, and sustaining political control, which has caused increased religiopolitical radicalism among youth.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13292
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