Recent protests targeting KFC outlets in Pakistan have led to significant unrest, resulting in one fatality and numerous arrests, as demonstrators express anger over the ongoing situation in Gaza.
One Fatality Amidst KFC Boycott Protests in Pakistan
One Fatality Amidst KFC Boycott Protests in Pakistan
Tensions escalate as protests against KFC trigger violence linked to Gaza conflict.
Police forces have deployed across major Pakistani cities following a surge of protests against KFC branches that left one man dead and many others injured. The demonstrators, fueled by frustration over the war in Gaza, have called for a boycott of KFC, branding it a symbol of U.S. support for Israel.
The protests have been marked by violence, with confirmed incidents in urban centers including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Social media footage reveals angry mobs, some wielding iron rods, attempting to storm KFC restaurants, and in Karachi, two stores were reportedly set ablaze.
The deceased, identified as 45-year-old Asif Nawaz, was a KFC employee shot during a protest in Sheikhupura near Lahore. Local police reported that Nawaz sustained fatal injuries when a bullet, likely accidental, struck him while he was working in the kitchen. Authorities have since made around 40 arrests, but the shooter remains unidentified.
In response to the escalating situation, various prominent figures and organizations in Pakistan have condemned the violence while simultaneously urging non-violent protest actions. The Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and respected Sunni scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani have called for the boycott of products linked to the conflict, advising protesters to uphold peaceful methods.
This unrest mirrors increasing hostility towards Western brands in Pakistan, particularly in relation to perceived support for Israeli operations. Similar campaigns have previously pressured brands like McDonald’s to alter their international operations in response to public sentiment, indicating a growing trend of protest rooted in geopolitical issues.
As of now, KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands, have not provided any official statements regarding the protests or the resulting violence.
