In recent weeks, Pakistani police have arrested 178 individuals after a series of more than 10 mob attacks on KFC outlets, sparked by growing anti-American sentiment and opposition to Israel’s involvement in the Gaza conflict. The attacks occurred in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with protesters armed with sticks and causing significant damage to KFC locations.
In one disturbing incident, a KFC employee was shot and killed on the outskirts of Lahore by unidentified gunmen, although authorities have not confirmed whether the killing was politically motivated.
In Lahore, where security has been heightened at 27 KFC outlets, police are investigating the involvement of various groups and individuals in the attacks. One arrest was made involving a member of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), although the group denied organizing the protests. TLP spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan clarified that while the group has called for a boycott of Israeli products, they have not endorsed any protests outside KFC.
KFC, along with its parent company Yum Brands, both US-based, has not commented publicly on the situation. In Pakistan, KFC is seen as a symbol of American influence and has long been a target of anti-US sentiment. Recently, Western brands, including KFC, have faced increased boycotts and protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority nations due to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
This ongoing unrest follows the escalation of the Gaza conflict, which began with the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel. In response, some consumers in Pakistan have shifted toward local brands, with US-based Coca-Cola and PepsiCo seeing declines in market share. Additionally, Pakistan’s religious clerics have urged a boycott of products linked to Israel and the US but have called for peaceful demonstrations.
