Overview

• Pakistani police have arrested 178 individuals in connection with 20 attacks on KFC restaurants in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities.
• The attacks are tied to anti-US protests over American support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with KFC seen as a symbol of US influence.
• A KFC employee was fatally shot at a Lahore outlet on April 13; police are investigating whether the incident was politically motivated or unrelated to the protests.
• Authorities have increased security at KFC locations, particularly in Lahore, where two attacks occurred and five were thwarted.
• Islamist parties have called for boycotts of US-linked brands but deny organizing the violent protests targeting KFC.