Social Media and Political Mobility During Imran Khan’s Era

Abstract

The evolution of media from print to digital has significantly reshaped political mobilization, with social media emerging as a powerful tool for political discourse and activism. This research explores the transformative role of social media in political mobility during Imran Khan’s era, examining its impact on political engagement, election dynamics, and public discourse in Pakistan. By leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), effectively mobilized support, shaping narratives and influencing voter behavior. The study contextualizes this within global digital movements, such as the Occupy Movement and the Arab Spring, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of social media in political communication. The 2018 Pakistani general elections serve as a case study, demonstrating how social media facilitated political campaigns, amplified electoral controversies, and shaped public perceptions of governance and democracy. While digital platforms have democratized political participation, they have also raised concerns regarding misinformation, electoral manipulation, and the integrity of democratic processes. This research underscores the growing role of social media in modern political landscapes, particularly in the digital era’s shifting power dynamics and participatory governance.