Constructing subjects that matter: A case of conditional recognition for Pakistani Khawajasiras

This paper examines how media discourses on gender and work play a part in regulating the lives of community Pakistani diverse people, called Khawajasiras. Developing critical discourse analysis news, we show this regulatory process results discursive mechanisms positioning Khawajasiras' as “dirty” need “respectable” exclusively “feminine” alternatives. revolves around delegitimizing non-normative their fluidity job market. recognition is thus conditional upon reproduction socially heteronormative notion gender. We conclude that not only forecloses possibilities resignification for historically disenfranchised but also risks producing new forms abjection by enforcing notions “fake” (with an implicitly assumed “authentic”) Khawajasira. The findings ultimately problematize contemporary ideals gendered groups.