Tensions Flare in Pakistan: Fatal Protests Erupt Against KFC Amid Gaza Conflict

Protestors targeting KFC branches in Pakistan have resulted in violent clashes, leaving one man dead and prompting a nationwide police response.

Police in Pakistan have reported a series of protests against KFC, leading to violent confrontations that resulted in the death of a staff member, Asif Nawaz, during a clash in Sheikhupura near Lahore. The protests stem from public outrage over the war in Gaza, with demonstrators labeling KFC a symbol of U.S. correlation to Israel. The protests ignited over 11 incidents across major cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, where mobs threatened violence against KFC stores, leading to the arson of two outlets in Karachi.

Witnesses captured videos of protesters brandishing iron rods and shouting accusations against KFC for allegedly funding violence with profits. A police report confirmed Nawaz was unintentionally struck by a stray bullet from over 100 feet away while he was on duty in the KFC kitchen. Initial investigations indicated that the incident may not have been a targeted shooting.

As sentiments run high against U.S. foreign policy, public figures, including influential religious leaders, have condemned violence and called for peaceful protests. The party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which has vocalized support for Palestinian rights, has distanced itself from direct involvement in attacks against KFC while echoing calls for non-violent protest.

Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani, speaking at a recent conference, has urged the public to boycott companies linked to Israel without resorting to violence, emphasizing that Islam does not condone harm to individuals. Meanwhile, KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands, have yet to publicly respond to these incidents or the resulting backlash.

This wave of protests is consistent with a broader trend of Western brands facing similar challenges in the region amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, highlighting the intertwining of global politics and local sentiments in these protests.