In a wave of unrest across Pakistan, authorities have detained 178 individuals linked to coordinated attacks on a prominent American fast-food chain, police officials announced this week. The incidents, which unfolded over recent weeks, targeted outlets in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, leaving several locations damaged.
Protesters, some wielding sticks, vandalized at least 11 branches of the chain, smashing windows and defacing property. In Lahore, two outlets were directly attacked, while police thwarted five additional attempts. To curb further violence, security has been significantly heightened, with law enforcement maintaining a close watch over 27 locations in Lahore alone.
Lahore’s senior police official, Faisal Kamran, stated, “We are working to uncover the involvement of various individuals and organizations behind these incidents.” Among those arrested in Lahore were 11 suspects, including one allegedly tied to a political faction.
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a prominent political group, has faced scrutiny in the investigation. However, TLP spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan denied any organized involvement, emphasizing that the party supports peaceful boycotts of certain Western brands but did not endorse attacks on the chain. “Any individual acting in our name did so independently,” Khan clarified.
The attacks coincide with a broader surge of public discontent in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries, fueled by calls to boycott Western companies amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Similar sentiments have sparked demonstrations elsewhere, though the violence in Pakistan has drawn particular attention due to its scale and coordination.
The fast-food chain has remained silent on the matter, and its parent company has not issued a public statement. Meanwhile, businesses in the affected cities are ramping up security measures as authorities probe the planning and motives behind the attacks. Police say they are committed to preventing further disruptions while ensuring public safety.
