Rhetoric of the Regime Change: Rhetorical Analysis of Inaugural Speeches by Pakistani Prime Ministers”

Abstract

The political situation emerged after the sudden death of General Zia ul Haq resulted in the emergence of two parties system in the country in the shape of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). These parties governed the country six times collectively on alternate bases from 1988 to 2013 by three prime ministers: Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani. The purpose of this research is to analyze that how these prime ministers realize the state’s problems of that time, their aims and promises what they have made with the nation and how they tried to manipulate their agenda and influence the public? All the prime ministers require public support for justification of their governments and policies. Inaugural address is one of the most important public addresses for any prime ministers in which they may address people’s troubles and explain their policies. This research analyzed six inaugural addresses of above mentioned prime ministers from 1988 to 2013 and used a five stages method of rhetorical analysis: Rhetorical situation, Topics, Disposition, Style and Use of religion as rhetoric. This research discussed different rhetorical strategies used by these prime ministers.