ISLAMABAD: At least 178 people have been taken into custody across multiple cities following violent attacks on outlets of a well-known US fast-food chain during recent anti-Israel demonstrations, according to police sources.
The arrests come in the wake of protests that turned chaotic, with groups of demonstrators vandalising at least a dozen branches of the franchise in cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Several properties were damaged, with reports of masked individuals wielding batons and smashing windows.
In Lahore, police say they arrested 11 suspects in connection with two attacks and several foiled attempts. Law enforcement officials have since ramped up security around 27 locations in the city deemed to be potential targets.
“We’re actively probing the involvement of different individuals and possible organisational links,” said senior police officer Faisal Kamran. “Some of the arrested individuals appear to be politically affiliated.”
The religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which has previously called for boycotts of Western brands over Gaza, was quick to distance itself from the attacks. Spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan said the party supported peaceful protest but denied authorising any violence. “If someone used our name to justify such actions, they did so without our backing,” he said.
The incidents are part of a broader pattern of unrest triggered by outrage over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has spurred boycott calls against Western companies perceived to be sympathetic to Israel. While many of these protests began peacefully, some have spiraled into targeted violence against businesses.
So far, the fast-food chain and its parent company have made no public statement on the matter. However, in cities hit by the unrest, many outlets remain under tight police watch, and some have reduced hours or temporarily shut down.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine whether the vandalism was pre-planned or opportunistic. Police have vowed to bring charges against those responsible for inciting or carrying out attacks.
