A Gricean Maxims Analysis of Muhammad Naveed’s Interview (Who Opened Fire on Imran Khan)

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the flouting of maxims and the use of conversational implicature by Muhammad Naveed in his interview with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The present study employs a qualitative research method to explore how Naveed flouts Grician maxims in his CTD investigation interview. The findings of the study show that Naveed flouted the maxims of quantity, quality, relevance, and manner and employed implicatures to convey his ideological belief behind his attempt on the life of Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. The findings highlight how certain expressions and linguistic choices contribute to a narrative shaped by personal conviction and moral framing. While the study emphasizes the role of religious and rhetorical language in constructing this narrative, it also recognizes the complexity of interpreting meaning in high-pressure interview contexts. The findings contribute to the field of forensic linguistics by illustrating how pragmatic principles operate within legal and political discourse, while also indicating the need for broader contextual and methodological considerations to enhance the interpretive depth and reliability of such analyses.