The protests, driven by calls to boycott KFC as a symbol of U.S. support for Israel, escalated into chaos with one fatality in Sheikhupura. Authorities have arrested dozens but are still searching for the shooter involved in the incident.
One Fatality Amid Escalating KFC Boycotts in Pakistan Protests
One Fatality Amid Escalating KFC Boycotts in Pakistan Protests
A man was killed during protests targeting KFC branches in Pakistan, as public anger over the Gaza conflict sparks violence against perceived Western symbols.
Police in Pakistan have apprehended many individuals connected to protests aimed at KFC branches in reaction to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which resulted in one death. Demonstrators, fueled by anger towards the violence, have called for a boycott of the popular fast-food chain, viewing it as an emblem of American and Israeli influence in the region.
Confirmed protest incidents have occurred in major cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, with social media footage showing mobs confronting KFC stores, some even carrying iron rods and threatening arson. Reports indicate that two outlets in Karachi were set ablaze amidst the escalations. Eyewitnesses captured footage of demonstrators accusing the chain of financially supporting military actions against Palestinians.
The deceased, 45-year-old Asif Nawaz, was shot while working at a KFC in Sheikhupura during one of the protests. Local police reported that he was unintentionally struck by a bullet fired from over 100 feet away. Despite the circumstances, police have made at least 40 arrests in connection to the ensuing violence. According to Sheikhupura's Regional Police Officer, the investigation remains active with no clear identification of the shooter yet.
Various religious and community leaders in Pakistan have condemned the conflict, including the Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which has called for peaceful protests against U.S. and Israeli actions but denies facilitating the KFC incidents. Renowned Sunni scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has highlighted the need for non-violent protests, asserting that Islam does not endorse harming others.
As the Gaza war continues to influence social sentiment, well-known global brands such as McDonald's and Starbucks has faced similar backlash in the region before. The boycott sentiment in Pakistan has highlighted a broader pattern of discontent towards Western companies, prompting KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands, to remain silent thus far amid the escalating situation.
