Cartoon war….. A political dilemma! A semiotic analysis of political cartoons

The paper attempts to evaluate Pakistani political cartoons as a case study in order to increase general understanding of the structures and important features of political cartoons. Using quantoqualitative measures, current study is the semiotic analysis of political cartoons published during the general election campaign 2013 in Pakistan. It analyses the ways cartoons were used as communicative tools on internet and print media to produce significant meaning and dominant political themes. This was a crucial time when Pakistan was marred by Taliban attacks and wanted a way forward to a new beginning. The era had also reflected the most volatile period of Pakistan's political activity among various political parties who utilized different mediums to persuade voters including print and electronic media. Furthermore, it explores the impact of cartoons on common people in the backdrop of social, political, ethical and religious milieu.