Protests against KFC in Pakistan have turned violent, resulting in the death of a KFC employee as demonstrators voice their anger over the Gaza conflict, calling for a boycott of the chain.
One Dead in Protests Against KFC Amid Gaza Conflict in Pakistan
One Dead in Protests Against KFC Amid Gaza Conflict in Pakistan
Tensions escalate as protests against KFC erupt nationwide, resulting in one death and dozens of arrests.
In Pakistan, protests targeting KFC outlets escalated into violence, leading to the death of a 45-year-old employee during demonstrations linked to the ongoing war in Gaza. Protesters, inflamed by the conflict, have targeted KFC as a symbol of American and Israeli influence, resulting in at least 11 reported incidents in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
Videos on social media depict mobs wielding iron rods, threatening to set stores ablaze before police intervened. In one incident, two KFC outlets in Karachi were set on fire. The deceased, identified as Asif Nawaz, was struck by a bullet while working in the kitchen of a KFC in Sheikhupura on April 14. Authorities indicated the bullet was fired from a considerable distance, with investigations suggesting Nawaz may not have been the intended target. Police have arrested approximately 40 individuals in connection to these protests.
Prominent figures in Pakistan have condemned the violence while urging peaceful demonstrations against the violence in Gaza. The Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has called for a boycott of products associated with Israel but has distanced itself from the violence against KFC. Notably, influential Sunni scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has stressed the importance of peaceful protests, emphasizing Islam's stance against violence.
This unrest follows a broader pattern of attacks and boycotts against Western brands in the region, with similar protests against McDonald's and Starbucks over their perceived connections to Israel. As of now, KFC and its parent company Yum Brands have not issued any responses regarding these incidents.
Videos on social media depict mobs wielding iron rods, threatening to set stores ablaze before police intervened. In one incident, two KFC outlets in Karachi were set on fire. The deceased, identified as Asif Nawaz, was struck by a bullet while working in the kitchen of a KFC in Sheikhupura on April 14. Authorities indicated the bullet was fired from a considerable distance, with investigations suggesting Nawaz may not have been the intended target. Police have arrested approximately 40 individuals in connection to these protests.
Prominent figures in Pakistan have condemned the violence while urging peaceful demonstrations against the violence in Gaza. The Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has called for a boycott of products associated with Israel but has distanced itself from the violence against KFC. Notably, influential Sunni scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has stressed the importance of peaceful protests, emphasizing Islam's stance against violence.
This unrest follows a broader pattern of attacks and boycotts against Western brands in the region, with similar protests against McDonald's and Starbucks over their perceived connections to Israel. As of now, KFC and its parent company Yum Brands have not issued any responses regarding these incidents.
