Prime Minister of Internal Talal Chaudhry condemned a series of violent attacks on international fast food businesses that promised strict action against those involved in the events that have taken place in several cities.
Talal Chaudhry told journalists in Faisalabad on Saturday that the state would treat “strictly” with anyone involved in harming public or private property, saying that such actions would be treated as “no different from a terrorist attack”.
At least 20 separate events were reported over Sindh and Punjab, including in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura.
In the most serious case, a worker was deadly shot when armed men attacked a restaurant in Sheikhupura on April 14.
“These franchises invest over $ 100 million in Pakistan, employ more than 25,000 people, pay 100% taxes and buyer from local suppliers,” said Chaudhry. “All the profits remain in Pakistan. What apology is there for such attacks?”
Chaudhry emphasized that the targeted franchises were locally owned and operated, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered immediate provincial coordination to protect companies and arrest suspects.
He confirmed that 145 arrests had been made in Punjab and 15 in Islamabad, with 12 FIR’s registered.
The detainees, he said, expressed remorse and sought forgiveness.
In response to reports of political involvement, Chaudhry said studies did not show any party organized the violence.
“No political or religious party called for these actions. Some individuals may have acted on their own,” he said, adding that priests had issued decree who felt such acts as non-Islamic.
He also noticed the effect on Pakistan’s investment climate. “Investors are our crown,” he said. “We take all the steps to maintain the law and protect thousands of livelihoods.”
Police said suspects were tracked by CCTV recordings, while additional security measures had been deployed in commercial sites.
