FREEDOM FIGHTERS OR TERRORISTS: THE BATTLE OF PERCEPTION

¹Nahida Ali , ² Dr. Safi Ullah Khan Marwat , ³ Dr. Zain Ul Abiden Malik , ⁴  Sundas Malik

1. Lecturer government college for women skardu ( nahidaali92@gmail.com)
2. Assistant Professor ,Department of History & Pakistan Studies,International Islamic University, Islamabad.(safiullah.khan@iiu.edu.pk)
3. Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations , Preston University ,Islamabad (zainulabidenmalik786@yahoo.com)
4. PhD Scholar in Pakistan StudiesDepartment of History & Pakistan Studies,

International Islamic University, Islamabad.(sundasmalik92@gmail.com)

Corresponding Author: Sundas Malik .(sundasmalik92@gmail.com)

Abstract

Terrorism is a complex and often controversial phenomenon, with different individuals and groups holding a range of perspectives on what constitutes terrorism and who is considered a terrorist. This research paper aims to explore the concept of terrorism and the various ways in which individuals and groups justify their use of violence for political purposes as either terrorism or acts of resistance or freedom fighting. The paper will examine specific case studies of individuals or groups that have been labeled as terrorists by some and freedom fighters by others, and will consider the broader historical, political, and social context in which these actions took place. The paper will also consider the media and public perception of these events, and the potential consequences of labeling certain actions as terrorism. Through this exploration, the paper will aim to shed light on the moral and ethical implications of using violence for political purposes and the complexities of determining who is a freedom fighter and who is a terrorist.

Keywords: Terrorism, Freedom fighters, Labeling, Self-defense, Media