Police have arrested scores of people in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US fast-food chain, sparked by anti-United States sentiment and opposition to its ally Israel's war in Gaza, officials said.
Police in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, confirmed at least 11 incidents in which the fast-food outlets were attacked by protesters armed with sticks and vandalised.
At least 178 people were arrested, the officials said this week. A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of the employees was shot and killed this week in a store on the outskirts of Lahore by unknown gunmen. The official added there was no protest at the time and they were investigating whether the killing was motivated by political sentiment or some other reason.
In Lahore, police said they were ramping up security at 27 outlets around the city after two attacks took place and five others were prevented. "We are investigating the role of different individuals and groups in these attacks," said Faisal Kamran, a senior Lahore police officer, adding that 11 people, including a member of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), were arrested in the city.
He added the protests were not officially organised by TLP. TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan said the group "has urged Muslims to boycott Israeli products, but it has not given any call for protest outside outlets". "If any other person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act which has nothing to do with the party's policy," said Khan.
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