More than 170 arrested for attacks on Pakistan KFC outlets in Gaza war protests

Police in Pakistan arrest over 178 people for attacking KFC outlets amid anti-U.S. sentiment and Gaza war opposition.

“Police have arrested scores of people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of U.S. fast-food chain KFC, sparked by anti-United States sentiment and opposition to its ally Israel’s war in Gaza,” officials said.

Police in major cities in the Islamic nation, including the southern port city of Karachi, the eastern city of Lahore and the capital Islamabad, confirmed at least 11 incidents in which KFC outlets were attacked by protesters armed with sticks and vandalised. “At least 178 people were arrested,” the officials said this week. KFC and its parent Yum Brands, both U.S.-based, did not respond to requests for comment.

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A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one KFC employee was shot and killed this week in a store on the outskirts of Lahore by unknown gunmen. The official added there was no protest at the time and they were investigating whether the killing was motivated by political sentiment or some other reason.

In Lahore, police said they were ramping up security at 27 KFC outlets around the city after two attacks took place and five others were prevented.

"We are investigating the role of different individuals and groups in these attacks," said Faisal Kamran, a senior Lahore police officer, adding that 11 people, including a member of the Islamist religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), were arrested in the city. He added the protests were not officially organised by TLP.

TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan said the group "has urged Muslims to boycott Israeli products, but it has not given any call for protest outside KFC."