Latest news with #anti-UnitedStates
Arab News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan vows no leniency toward perpetrators of KFC mob attacks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry vowed on Saturday that the government will not show any leniency toward those involved in attacks targeting international food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken's (KFC) outlets in various parts of the country, vowing to ensure protection for foreign investment. The minister's remarks came after charged mobs attacked and vandalized KFC outlets in various parts of the country this week, angered by growing anti-United States sentiment in Pakistan and in opposition to Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. In videos shared widely on the Internet, men carrying sticks can be seen hurling abuses at customers and staff at various KFC outlets, forcing them to leave the eatery while they vandalize the outlets' property. Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Chaudry said around 20 such incidents across the country have taken place this month in which one KFC employee lost his life. He said 12 complaints have been registered for such incidents in Punjab, where 142 people have been arrested for their involvement in the attacks. In Islamabad, he said 15 people were arrested for their involvement in attacks on KFC outlets. 'It cannot happen that someone brings investment into Pakistan, gives its people employment, pays 100 percent tax, and also spends on welfare, education and health activities, and then someone attacks it,' Chaudry said. 'We will not let this happen. I am just not issuing a warning but practically it is being implemented in all four provinces. They are not being shown leniency anywhere and neither will we show them leniency,' he added. The minister said those arrested for attacking KFC outlets across the country were ashamed of their actions. He said Pakistan's religious and political parties had distanced themselves from these incidents. Chaudry said since Friday, no attacks have been reported on any KFC outlets across the country after the prime minister took notice of the incident. He reiterated Pakistan's support for Palestine, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had raised his voice for the people of Gaza repeatedly. However, he said the government would ensure protection for foreign investment in the country whether it be in the mines and minerals sector or international food chains. The minister said such attacks would be 'unacceptable,' adding that Pakistan's government and interior ministry were available 24 hours to respond to such incidents. 'Any such attack will be unacceptable and it will be treated similar to when a terrorist attacks an unarmed man,' Chaudry said. Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The war was triggered by the Palestinian group Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Over 170 arrested for attacks on fast-food chain
Police have arrested scores of people in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US fast-food chain, sparked by anti-United States sentiment and opposition to its ally Israel's war in Gaza, officials said. Police in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, confirmed at least 11 incidents in which the fast-food outlets were attacked by protesters armed with sticks and vandalised. At least 178 people were arrested, the officials said this week. A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of the employees 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 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 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 outlets". "If any other person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act which has nothing to do with the party's policy," said Khan.
Saudi Gazette
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Scores arrested over Pakistan KFC attacks, sparked by Gaza war protests
KARACHI — Police have arrested scores of people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US fast-food chain KFC, Reuters reported. The attacks were sparked by anti-United States sentiment and opposition to its ally Israel's war in Gaza, officials said. Police in major cities in the Muslim 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 vandalized. At least 178 people were arrested, the officials said this week. KFC and its parent Yum Brands, both US-based, did not respond to requests for comment. 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 religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), were arrested in the city. He added the protests were not officially organized 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.' 'If any other person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act which has nothing to do with the party's policy,' said Khan. KFC has long been viewed as a symbol of the United States in Pakistan and borne the brunt of anti-American sentiment in recent decades with protests and attacks. Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The war was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities. Yum Brands has said one of its other brands, Pizza Hut, has faced a protracted impact from boycotts related to Israel's war in Gaza. In Pakistan, local brands have made inroads into its fast-growing cola market as some consumers avoid US brands. In 2023, Coca-Cola's market share in the consumer sector in Pakistan fell to 5.7% from 6.3% in 2022, according to GlobalData, while PepsiCo's fell to 10.4% from 10.8%. Earlier this month, religious clerics in Pakistan called for a boycott of any products or brands that they say support Israel or the American economy, but asked people to stay peaceful and not destroy property. — CNN
CNN
18-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Scores arrested over Pakistan KFC attacks, sparked by Gaza war protests
Police have arrested scores of people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US 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 vandalized. At least 178 people were arrested, the officials said this week. KFC and its parent Yum Brands, both US-based, did not respond to requests for comment. 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 organized 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.' 'If any other person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act which has nothing to do with the party's policy,' said Khan. KFC has long been viewed as a symbol of the United States in Pakistan and borne the brunt of anti-American sentiment in recent decades with protests and attacks. Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The war was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities. Yum Brands has said one of its other brands, Pizza Hut, has faced a protracted impact from boycotts related to Israel's war in Gaza. In Pakistan, local brands have made inroads into its fast-growing cola market as some consumers avoid US brands. In 2023, Coca-Cola's market share in the consumer sector in Pakistan fell to 5.7% from 6.3% in 2022, according to GlobalData, while PepsiCo's fell to 10.4% from 10.8%. Earlier this month, religious clerics in Pakistan called for a boycott of any products or brands that they say support Israel or the American economy, but asked people to stay peaceful and not destroy property.
CNN
18-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Scores arrested over Pakistan KFC attacks, sparked by Gaza war protests
Police have arrested scores of people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US 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 vandalized. At least 178 people were arrested, the officials said this week. KFC and its parent Yum Brands, both US-based, did not respond to requests for comment. 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 organized 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.' 'If any other person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act which has nothing to do with the party's policy,' said Khan. KFC has long been viewed as a symbol of the United States in Pakistan and borne the brunt of anti-American sentiment in recent decades with protests and attacks. Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The war was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities. Yum Brands has said one of its other brands, Pizza Hut, has faced a protracted impact from boycotts related to Israel's war in Gaza. In Pakistan, local brands have made inroads into its fast-growing cola market as some consumers avoid US brands. In 2023, Coca-Cola's market share in the consumer sector in Pakistan fell to 5.7% from 6.3% in 2022, according to GlobalData, while PepsiCo's fell to 10.4% from 10.8%. Earlier this month, religious clerics in Pakistan called for a boycott of any products or brands that they say support Israel or the American economy, but asked people to stay peaceful and not destroy property.
