THE PAKISTAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (PDM): IMPACT ON POLITICAL DYNAMICS (2020–2023)

Abstract

This research article investigates the rise and political implications of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of opposition parties formed in 2020 to challenge the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under Prime Minister Imran Khan. Using a qualitative analytical approach grounded in document analysis and political theory, the study explores the socio-political factors behind the coalition’s emergence, its mobilization strategies, and its broader impact on Pakistan’s democratic trajectory between 2020 and 2023. Findings reveal that the PDM capitalized on public dissatisfaction with governance, economic decline, and increasing authoritarian tendencies. The movement reinvigorated democratic discourse, reshaped public opinion, and exposed tensions within Pakistan’s civil-military relations. However, internal divisions and inconsistent strategies undermined its long-term stability. The study concludes that while the PDM reshaped political engagement and pressured institutional reforms, it also intensified polarization within Pakistan’s fragile democratic landscape.