Across Pakistan, many prominent figures are speaking out against the ongoing war in Gaza. The Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has called for protests against Israel and the United States. However, they have clarified that they are not involved in recent attacks on KFC locations.
Mufti Taqi Usmani, Pakistan’s leading Sunni scholar, has also weighed in. He is urging people to boycott products associated with the conflict. Usmani emphasized that while it is important to protest peacefully, Islam does not support violence. He stated at the National Palestine Conference that harming others is forbidden, and he encouraged demonstrators to express their dissent without resorting to violence.
TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan reiterated that while the group supports a boycott of Israeli goods, they have not called for protests at KFC. This comes amidst a backdrop of protests and boycotts against Western brands in Pakistan and other Muslim nations since the conflict escalated.
Last year, McDonald’s faced backlash over its perceived ties to Israel and decided to buy back its Israeli restaurants after seeing a drop in sales. Similarly, Starbucks has recently called for peace, addressing a series of protests linked to the Israel-Gaza war.
As the situation unfolds, KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands, have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the protests. The calls for peaceful action highlight the desire for change without violence, reflecting a complex sentiment among the public in Pakistan during these turbulent times.