In recent weeks, Pakistani authorities have detained numerous individuals in response to a series of over ten mob assaults on KFC locations nationwide. This surge in violence has been driven by escalating anti-American sentiment and widespread public anger regarding the United States’ backing of Israel during its current conflict in Gaza.
Authorities in Pakistan have apprehended numerous individuals in recent weeks following over ten mob assaults on locations of the U.S. fast-food chain KFC. These incidents were reportedly fueled by anti-American sentiment and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, according to officials.
Law enforcement in key cities across the Islamic nation, including Karachi, Lahore, and the capital, Islamabad, confirmed at least 11 separate incidents where KFC outlets were targeted by protesters wielding sticks and engaging in vandalism. This week, officials reported that at least 178 individuals have been arrested in connection with these events.
KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands, both based in the United States, have not provided any comments regarding the situation.
A police official, who requested anonymity, disclosed that a KFC employee was fatally shot this week by unidentified assailants at a store on the outskirts of Lahore. The official noted that there were no protests occurring at that time and that investigations are underway to determine whether the shooting was politically motivated or driven by other factors.
In Lahore, law enforcement has announced an increase in security measures at 27 KFC locations following two attacks and the prevention of five others.
Faisal Kamran, a senior police officer in Lahore, stated, “We are looking into the involvement of various individuals and groups in these assaults.” He mentioned that 11 people, including a member of the Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), were arrested in the city, although he clarified that the protests were not officially organized by TLP.
TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan asserted that while the group has encouraged Muslims to boycott Israeli products, it has not called for protests outside KFC establishments.
Khan emphasized, “If any individual claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has participated in such actions, it should be regarded as a personal endeavor unrelated to the party’s official stance.”
KFC has historically been perceived as a representation of the United States in Pakistan and has faced significant backlash amid rising anti-American sentiment, resulting in protests and attacks over the years.
Western brands have recently faced boycotts and various forms of protests in Pakistan and other predominantly Muslim nations in response to Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict was ignited by an attack on southern Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 people to Gaza, as reported by Israeli sources.
Since that time, local health authorities have reported that over 51,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the Israeli military campaign.
Yum Brands has indicated that its subsidiary, Pizza Hut, has experienced a sustained impact from the boycotts associated with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In Pakistan, domestic brands have begun to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding cola market as some consumers opt to avoid American brands. According to GlobalData, Coca-Cola’s market share in Pakistan’s consumer sector decreased to 5.7% in 2023, down from 6.3% in 2022, while PepsiCo’s share fell to 10.4% from 10.8%.
Earlier this month, religious leaders in Pakistan urged a boycott of any products or brands perceived to support Israel or the U.S. economy, while also calling for peaceful actions and discouraging property damage.
