Govt slams vandalising fast-food outlets

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ISLAMABAD:

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Saturday said around 160 people have been arrested after mobs carried out 20 separate attacks on an international fast-food chain, with one employee shot dead, which is both regrettable and unacceptable.

The American-founded fast food chain has become a target of protest and boycott calls by religiopolitical parties since the start of the war in Gaza, linking the brand to US support for Israel.

"A total of 20 incidents occurred across Pakistan with one fatality reported. The man was a staff member at the fast-food chain," the state minister told a news conference, describing the chain as "under attack".

He called the tragic loss of a life in Sheikhupura a deeply saddening incident.

Chaudhry said that 145 people were arrested in Punjab and 15 in Islamabad over the spate of attacks. "These restaurants source everything locally and employ Pakistani staff, and their earnings remain within the country," he said.

The minister vowed that the government would deal with the attackers strictly. "The state has a responsibility to protect the lives and properties, whether they are of Pakistani businesses or foreigners investing here."

The minister of state also welcomed that "all political parties, especially religio-political parties, distanced themselves from this incident".

"Some party's worker might have been present in his personal capacity, but no political party connected itself to this. In fact, religious and other political parties have distanced themselves," he added.

Responding to a question, he said: "These [attackers] were interrogated after arrests, and I am saying this with full responsibility that no political or religious party of Pakistan was behind this in a coordinated manner.

"No political or religious party announced any such event," Chaudhry added, thanking those parties for distancing themselves from the vandalism.