Populism Institutional Trust and Political Engagement in Pakistan: A Survey Based Analysis

Abstract

This study examines how populist discourse relates to institutional trust and political engagement in Pakistan, where anti-elite narratives and leader-centred appeals have become prominent features of electoral competition. Using a cross-sectional survey (N = 240) and a five-point Likert instrument, the analysis applies descriptive statistics, reliability testing, factor analysis, bivariate correlations, and regression modelling. The scale shows acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.72) and reveals three latent dimensions, indicating that populism is multidimensional in this setting. Populist orientations are associated with lower institutional trust and, on balance, lower political engagement. Substantively, respondents show moderate acceptance of populist rhetoric, especially moral framing, charismatic leadership cues, and scepticism toward “corrupt elites,” but these orientations do not translate into stronger confidence in formal institutions or sustained participatory involvement. The findings imply that, in Pakistan, populist discourse may deepen democratic strain by weakening institutional legitimacy and dampening engagement, underscoring the need for governance reforms that address corruption narratives while widening credible channels for citizen participation.