Ten people face charges after a mob of about 40, mostly youths armed with sticks and stones, ransacked a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The attack, which unfolded around 6:15 p.m. on Korangi Road, prompted a swift police response, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Syed Asad Raza.
“Police dispersed the crowd immediately and arrested 10 suspects,” DIG Raza said. He linked the assault to anger over US and Israeli policies in Gaza, noting, “Their motive was to protest.” Authorities are now hunting the remaining attackers and organizers, promising legal action. “The situation is under control, and we’re boosting security at other KFC branches,” he added.
Karachi (Sindh): Mob vandalizes KFC and Domino's outlets in Karachi in protest against Israeli-affiliated products.
[1] pic.twitter.com/xvlvXZqeR5
— PREM.⚡️ (@TweetsOfPR) April 8, 2025Second KFC Outlet Attack in 24 Hours
This wasn’t an isolated incident. On Monday night, a separate group stormed a KFC in Mohammad Ali Society, Bahadurabad police reported. Station House Officer Naveed Soomro said the assault coincided with a passing rally. Manager Saad Gul recounted how 15 people broke in at 11:35 p.m., smashing the main gate’s glass with chairs, sticks, and stones after demanding closure. Staff fled through a back door as the mob wreaked havoc.
Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Pakistan Penal Code sections 146, 147, 148, 427, and 504, targeting unidentified suspects. No arrests have been made in this case yet.
Another day, another mob, another fast-food outlet vandalized. This time it’s KFC in Bahadurabad, #Karachi.
When mobs become the arbiters of justice and rage replaces rule of law, it’s not just a restaurant that burns. 1/2@FSWarraich @ShahzadiRai pic.twitter.com/rGZ9OSoTzJ
— Gauhar MIrza (@GuaharM) April 8, 2025DIG Raza pointed to a global pattern, saying, “We see similar attacks across the Muslim world, like Bangladesh, often fueled by social media.” Tuesday’s unrest followed a shutter-down strike in Karachi, called by traders to align with a Hamas-led global solidarity movement for Palestinians. The Palestinian health ministry reports over 50,695 deaths in Gaza since Israel’s bombardment began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack. A January ceasefire collapsed last month, reigniting hostilities.
