Lahore:
During the anti-Israeli demonstration in Pakistan’s Punjab province, an employee of American fast-food chain KFC died. The police gave this information on Tuesday. The incident took place in Sheikhpura, about 50 km from the provincial capital Lahore.
According to media reports, the police said that in the morning, a large number of Tehreek-e-Labback Pakistan (TLP) activists attacked the outlet. The attackers vandalized the restaurant and opened fire on staff members. An employee, who has been identified as Asif Nawaz, was shot, while others managed to escape. Nawaz, 45, was immediately rushed to the local hospital but died during treatment.
“When the police reached the spot, the crooks had run away,” an official said. He said that more than three dozen suspects were detained and investigation is on.
A day earlier, TLP supporters targeted the KFC outlet in Rawalpindi and damaged the property. Last week, there were similar attacks in Karachi and Lahore, where some parts of the KFC outlet were set on fire. The Punjab Police has arrested 17 members of TLP in connection with these incidents.
It seems that the Pakistani government and security agencies are helpless in front of a wave of TLP-led violence against foreign fast-food chains under the guise of religious protest.
Earlier this month (on 7 April) Bangladesh also saw heavy violence during anti -Israeli demonstrations. According to local media, the mob vandalized Bogra, Sylhet, Cox Bazaar and other districts in protest against the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The protesters targeted Israeli-related businesses like Bata, KFC and Pizza Hut. He also demanded boycott of some products.