EXPLORING POLITICAL LANGUAGE IN COUNTERTERRORISM POLICY: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL ACTION PLAN (2014)

Abstract

The National Action Plan (2014) is a policy document outlining Pakistan's strategy to combat terrorism. This study aims to examine the use of political discourse strategies in the NAP to construct and legitimize state authority in counterterrorism efforts. Applying Paul Chilton's Political Discourse Analysis framework, which focuses on metaphor, spatial framing, and cognitive structuring, the research employs a qualitative Critical Discourse Analysis approach to analyze selected clauses from the NAP. The study is significant as it reveals the underlying ideological mechanisms that shape public perception and policy acceptance, offering valuable insights for scholars and policymakers in political communication and security studies. Findings indicate that the NAP employs militaristic metaphors and high-modality language to portray terrorism as an existential threat, thereby justifying strong state intervention. Spatial and cognitive framing creates clear us–them divisions, positioning the state as protector and terrorists as enemies, reinforcing national unity. Moreover, procedural and authoritative language projects state competence and moral justification, strengthening public trust while limiting dissent. Overall, this analysis highlights the crucial role of discourse in shaping counterterrorism policies and their social impact, providing valuable insights for those involved in policy formulation and public communication.