In the northeastern town of Mirpur, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, over 50 men have been arrested following a fiery protest which saw an American fast-food outlet, KFC, becoming the target of anti-Israel sentiment. As the town’s streets echoed with chants for Palestinian freedom, demonstrators, brandishing banners emblazoned with “Free Palestine”, directed their ire at the international chain, perceived as a symbol of American and by extension, Israeli influence.
The incident, taking place in the immediate aftermath of evening prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, saw approximately 400 protestors clashing with police forces as they veered from the initially designated protest zone towards the fast-food restaurant. Mirpur Police Chief Kamran Mughal described the skirmish, stating, “We had told them that they can only protest in a certain area. But, when their numbers started growing, they made their way over to KFC.” The tumultuous event resulted in injuries to nine police officers, as they were pelted with stones by the demonstrators.
Inside the KFC, scenes of chaos and destruction unfolded. Videos made rounds on social media showing the restaurant’s windows smashed, its furniture broken, and equipment damaged. Ultimately, the protesters set fire to the building, though it did not collapse completely. Prior to the incident, the restaurant’s owner, Chaudhary Saeed, had shared a video with the administration, in which a group of young men announced their intention to shut down the KFC outlet, stating, “We are here because our mission is to shut down KFC next Friday. Our brothers and sisters (in Gaza) are being subjected to cruelty.”
KFC is not alone in facing the heat. Reports suggest that other foreign brands operating in Pakistan, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, have also been caught up in the protest movement. The financial impact of such actions has become evident, with KFC’s Middle East unit reporting a sales drop as many Muslim countries are facing similar boycott movements against the fast-food chain.
Relevant articles:
– Pakistan: Dozens of anti-Israel protesters set a KFC store on fire and were arrested
– Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters set fire to KFC restaurant in Pakistan, The New Indian Express, Sat, 30 Mar 2024 16:07:09 GMT
– PoK: Chaos erupts in Mirpur after pro-palestine people storms KFC outlet, ThePrint, Sat, 30 Mar 2024 07:17:02 GMT
– Rioters in Pakistan burn down KFC branch to support Hamas, OpIndia, Sun, 31 Mar 2024 07:05:04 GMT