DECODING ANWAR MAQSOOD'S CALL FOR REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE AT PAKISTAN LITERARY FESTIVAL 2023: A SOCIO-COGNITIVE DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This research critically examines Anwar Maqsood's compelling dramatic monologue delivered at the Literary Festival's conclusion, employing van Dijk's sociocognitive model as the analytical framework. The chosen speech, notable for its resonance among the youth, traverses various facets of Pakistan's socio-political landscape, providing profound analyses of prevailing political unrest. Utilizing YouTube as a primary data source, the Urdu transcription facilitates in-depth analysis, while an English translation enables seamless integration into the research paper. The primary objective of the study is to uncover the underlying ideologies, power dynamics, and social identities inherent in Maqsood's speech, particularly concerning the imperative for revolutionary transformation in Pakistan. Van Dijk's model serves as a lens, enabling an examination of socio-cognitive dimensions and emphasizing the discursive strategies employed by Maqsood to construct and portray socio-political realities related to revolutionary change. The key findings of this research illuminate intricate layers of meaning embedded in Maqsood's discourse. It reveals the strategic use of rhetorical devices, including metaphors and satire, to effectively convey socio-political realities. The study unveils discernible patterns of socio-economic challenges, encompassing economic instability, class disparities, and endemic corruption within the fabric of Pakistani society. Additionally, the research explores the dynamics of political puppetry and the enduring influence of the military on governance structures in Pakistan. An examination of identity construction emerges, emphasizing themes of patriotism, political alignment, and the transformative potential attributed to the youth as architects of the nation's destiny. The research concludes by validating the efficacy of van Dijk's sociocognitive model in unraveling the complex discursive strategies employed by Maqsood in articulating his socio-political narrative.