Pakistani authorities have arrested over 170 people following a series of mob attacks on KFC outlets, fueled by anti-U.S. and anti-Israel sentiments linked to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Police confirmed at least 11 attacks on KFC outlets in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The attacks were carried out by protesters armed with sticks, and several outlets were vandalized. KFC, a U.S.-based fast-food chain, and its parent company Yum Brands have not responded to requests for comment.
One KFC employee was killed this week in Lahore when unknown gunmen shot him outside a store. The police are investigating whether the murder was politically motivated or related to other factors.
In Lahore, where two KFC outlets were attacked and five others were prevented, authorities are stepping up security at 27 locations. Senior police officer Faisal Kamran confirmed the arrests of 11 people, including a member of the Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). However, he emphasized that the protests were not organized by TLP.
TLP spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan clarified that the group had called for a boycott of Israeli products but had not called for protests at KFC. He stated that any individuals claiming to be TLP supporters in these activities acted on their own.
KFC has long been a target of anti-American sentiment in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries, especially during times of conflict involving the U.S. or its allies. Western brands, including KFC, have faced boycotts over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has escalated into a major military offensive. Over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to local health authorities. As a result, many Western brands have been negatively impacted, with some facing a decline in market share in Pakistan.
Religious clerics in Pakistan have called for peaceful boycotts of brands linked to Israel and the U.S., urging people to avoid property damage.
