Lahore/Karachi/Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have arrested at least 178 individuals in connection with a wave of violent attacks targeting KFC restaurants in multiple cities, amid heightened anti-American and pro-Palestinian sentiment linked to the ongoing Israel war on Gaza.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that at least 11 KFC branches were attacked in recent weeks in cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Protesters armed with sticks vandalized storefronts and disrupted operations, prompting police crackdowns and increased security around the outlets.
In Lahore alone, police have boosted security at 27 KFC branches. Two locations were attacked while five planned assaults were foiled. “We are actively investigating the involvement of various individuals and groups,” said senior police officer Faisal Kamran. He confirmed that 11 suspects had been arrested in Lahore, including one individual linked to the Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
However, TLP spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan distanced the party from the violence, stating: “TLP has urged Muslims to boycott Israeli products, but we have not called for protests outside KFC. If someone claiming to represent TLP is involved, it is a personal act and not party policy.”
In a separate incident under investigation, a KFC employee was reportedly shot and killed by unknown assailants outside Lahore. Officials have not confirmed whether the attack was politically motivated or linked to the ongoing protests.
KFC, perceived in Pakistan as a symbol of the United States, has frequently been a target of anti-American backlash. In recent months, Western brands have faced widespread boycotts in Muslim-majority countries over their perceived links to the U.S. or Israel, particularly in the context of the war in Gaza.
The conflict erupted following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw over 250 taken hostage. Since then, Israel’s military response has resulted in the deaths of more than 51,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
In the wake of the violence, religious leaders in Pakistan have called for nationwide boycotts of products perceived to support Israel or bolster the U.S. economy. However, clerics have also urged the public to remain peaceful and avoid damaging property.
Meanwhile, local alternatives to Western brands continue to gain traction. According to GlobalData, Coca-Cola’s market share in Pakistan’s consumer sector dropped from 6.3% in 2022 to 5.7% in 2023, while PepsiCo’s fell from 10.8% to 10.4% during the same period.
Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut, recently acknowledged that its franchises in several countries, including Pakistan, are experiencing prolonged effects from boycott movements tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
