In a bold display of public solidarity with the Palestinian cause, multiple KFC and McDonald’s franchises in Pakistan—particularly in Lahore and Rawalpindi—have reportedly shut down amid rising security concerns, following a nationwide wave of protests and boycott campaigns. These fast-food chains, long criticized for their alleged financial ties to Israel, have become central targets as the public response intensifies in the wake of the escalating genocide in Gaza.
With international scholars having already declared jihad for the liberation of Palestine, Pakistani ulama have now followed suit, urging the government to take decisive action. The streets are echoing with voices demanding justice, and the momentum of the boycott movement has become impossible to ignore. Hashtags like #boycott* and viral slogans such as *“If not by humanity, then by force” are surging across social media platforms, symbolizing the nation’s refusal to remain silent.
Amid this growing unrest, the closures reflect not only fear of potential backlash but also the rising influence of a morally awakened public. Pakistanis are standing tall—not just as protestors, but as defenders of humanity—refusing to normalize complicity in oppression and setting a powerful example of collective resistance against injustice.
The movement in Pakistan is part of a larger wave of global outrage, where ordinary citizens are challenging political inaction and demanding accountability from corporations linked to the ongoing violence in Gaza. Across the Muslim world, public pressure is mounting for economic and diplomatic disengagement from entities supporting the Israeli regime. In Pakistan, this growing consciousness is transforming into a powerful force that not only disrupts consumer behavior but also reshapes national discourse around justice, solidarity, and ethical responsibility. With students, civil society members, and religious groups joining hands, the boycott is no longer just a campaign—it is a nationwide moral stance. It demonstrates that when people unite under a shared cause, their collective voice can lead to real-world consequences, compelling even global franchises to retreat in the face of public resistance.
