Areez Tariq
Independent Political Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Abstract: This article examines the political downfall of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif through the lens of political branding and narrative construction. While legal rulings and corruption investigations provided the formal grounds for his disqualification, it was the persistent framing of Sharif as a “thief” (chor) that ultimately eroded his credibility and political standing. Drawing on the Panama Papers revelations, subsequent judicial proceedings, and the role of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s anti-corruption campaign, this study highlights how slogans, media narratives, and institutional alignments transformed allegations into public perception. The analysis suggests that in Pakistan’s political landscape, the power of political labeling and moral discourse often outweighs policy performance or legal complexities. Nawaz Sharif’s case underscores the enduring influence of perception management in South Asian politics.
Keywords: Nawaz Sharif; Political Branding; Corruption Narrative; Panama Papers; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Political Communication; Disqualification; Perception Management; Pakistani Politics; Civil–Military Relations.