In Pakistan, general elections are more than periodic democratic rituals — they are litmus tests for the nation’s institutions, public trust, and the resilience of civilian rule. But beyond rallies, manifestos, and ballot counts, another powerful lens offers insight into how these transitions are perceived: the editorial pages of the country’s leading English-language newspapers.
This feature examines how Dawn and The News International — two of Pakistan’s most influential dailies — interpreted and framed the post-election atmosphere in the immediate aftermath of the 2018 and 2024 general elections. By comparing their editorials from July 26 to August 1, 2018, and February 9 to 15, 2024, this study uncovers not just two different readings of the same political events, but two evolving narratives about democracy itself.
Dawn: From Cautious Hope to Democratic Disillusionment
In the week following the 2018 elections, Dawn walked a tightrope between recognition and reservation. The editorial “Time to Move On” captured the national mood: a mixture of anticipation over Imran Khan’s ascension and unease over the Election Commission’s inefficiencies. Delayed results and technical glitches led to speculation about procedural integrity, yet Dawn advised institutional redress rather than political upheaval. The tone was measured — hopeful but watchful.
Importantly, Dawn acknowledged the symbolic gains of 2018 — greater voter turnout, increased female participation, and visible minority engagement. In pieces like “Rigging Complaints,” the editorial board accepted that while irregularities existed, they hadn’t entirely delegitimized the process. The paper placed conditional trust in Pakistan’s democratic framework, signaling a belief that flawed systems could still be corrected.
By 2024, however, Dawn’s tone had shifted dramatically — from cautious optimism to clear and urgent disillusionment.
The editorial “Election Reflections” minced no words in calling out what it viewed as blatant state interference: mobile network shutdowns, suppression of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) symbol, delayed vote counts, and opaque result management. “Respect the Mandate” echoed this dismay, framing the entire process as an assault on the people’s voice.
What had changed? For Dawn, the 2024 elections were not just imperfect — they were manipulated to the point of democratic crisis. This was no longer a call for reform within the system; it was a demand for systemic accountability. Trust had not only eroded — it had been shattered.
The News: From Wide-Angle Analysis to Political Realism
Back in 2018, The News International adopted a more panoramic view of post-election Pakistan. In editorials like “The Road to the Future” and “Back to the IMF?”, the paper explored a range of themes — the challenge of coalition-building, Pakistan’s worsening economic outlook, and the geopolitical implications of a PTI-led government.
Where Dawn leaned toward institutional critique, The News opted for analytical breadth, dissecting policy concerns and democratic opportunities. It acknowledged electoral flaws but didn’t frame them as existential threats to democracy. Instead, the focus was on navigating the road ahead — both domestically and internationally.
By 2024, however, The News had narrowed its editorial lens. While still analytically rich, the tone became distinctly more pragmatic. Editorials such as “How to Form a Government” and “Will the Centre Hold?” concentrated on the mechanics of power-sharing in a fragmented political landscape. The emphasis was not on who should have won, but on how stability might be salvaged from a deeply polarized and mistrustful post-election environment.
Yes, there was concern. Editorials like “Dead Zone” criticized the mobile network blackouts, and “Electoral Plot Twist” hinted at irregularities. Yet, rather than confronting the legitimacy of the entire election, The News seemed resigned to Pakistan’s electoral imperfections, focusing instead on how political actors would adapt within a fractured system.
In 2024, The News acted like a seasoned observer: concerned, but committed to the idea that governance — even flawed — must go on.
Two Newspapers, Two Philosophies
What emerges from this side-by-side editorial analysis is not simply a contrast in tone, but a divergence in editorial philosophy.
• In 2018, Dawn adopted a more critical stance toward institutions but held onto hope for democratic reform. The News, meanwhile, emphasized complexity over criticism — mapping political consequences and policy priorities.
• By 2024, Dawn had hardened its position, openly confronting the erosion of electoral integrity and condemning the state’s role in subverting democracy. The News, in contrast, remained analytical but seemed to accept the constraints of realpolitik, focusing more on coalition dynamics and governance pathways.
• On social inclusion, Dawn consistently highlighted the importance of women’s participation and minority rights, offering hope that democratic progress could still take root. The News acknowledged these themes but gave more editorial space to economic challenges and political engineering.
What the Editorial Divide Reveals
This editorial divergence is more than a media story — it’s a window into the broader fragmentation of democratic discourse in Pakistan.
For Dawn, the 2024 elections signified a betrayal of the public will and the breakdown of institutional legitimacy. For The News, the elections — while deeply flawed — were still part of the political process, one that required navigation rather than confrontation.
Neither view is inherently right or wrong. But together, they underscore a sobering truth: Pakistan’s democracy remains contested, fragile, and fiercely debated — not just on the streets or in parliament, but in the editorial columns that frame the national conversation.
Conclusion: Narratives of a Nation in Flux
The editorials published by Dawn and The News in the weeks following the 2018 and 2024 general elections offer more than reactions — they map the ideological terrain of Pakistan’s democratic struggle.
Where Dawn charts a trajectory from guarded hope to principled outrage, The News traces a path from expansive analysis to hardened realism.
In these two narratives, we see the soul of Pakistani democracy: frustrated yet persistent, disillusioned yet engaged. Even in the shadow of controversy and manipulation, the fact that these debates continue — in print, in thought, and in editorial battle — suggests that the story of democracy in Pakistan is far from over.
