It is the state’s responsibility to protect the lives and property of all of Pakistan’s citizens, said Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Saturday, as he criticized mobs that have been attacking fast food outlets across Pakistan.
Emphasizing that such assaults have nothing to do with Islam, Chaudhry said it was unfortunate that Muslims living in a Muslim-majority country were neither acknowledging the teachings of their faith, nor the law of the land. Noting the recent attacks had primarily targeted franchises of KFC, he detailed that 20 such incidents had occurred.
Regretting that in one such incident—at a KFC in Sheikhupura—an employee had been shot dead, he stressed that a Muslim had died at the hands of fellow Muslims. “The prime minister and the interior ministry have directed all provinces to ensure they implement law and order,” he said, noting 12 First Information Reports (FIRs) had been lodged in Punjab, resulting in the arrests of 178 suspects.
Similarly, he said, two incidents had occurred in Islamabad, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects. Noting the arrested individuals were now all seeking forgiveness, he noted that many had been led astray by fake news on social media.
Detailing the benefits KFC had provided to Pakistan, Chaudhry noted the franchise had invested over $100 million in the country. “They pay full taxes compared to our local restaurants that evade taxes,” he said, adding more than 25,000 direct and indirect jobs were linked to the franchise.
The franchise owner of KFC is Pakistani and Muslim, he said, adding all its ingredients are locally sourced. “How is there any justification for attacking such outlets?” he questioned, stressing that the prime minister and government have made clear Investors are a priority and any intent to harm them will be dealt with in accordance with law.
Rubbishing the impression that the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) was responsible for the attacks on KFC outlets, Chaudhry maintained that all political parties, particularly religious parties, had distanced themselves from these attacks. He said this was a positive development, noting that even if some individuals affiliated with political parties were involved, they were acting in a personal capacity.
TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan affirmed this to Reuters, saying the group has merely urged Muslims to “boycott Israeli products, but it has not given any call for protest outside outlets.” He maintained that any person claiming to be a TLP leader or activist who has indulged in such violence is acting in a personal capacity and has nothing to do with party policy.