Pakistan police have arrested at least 178 individuals following a series of coordinated attacks on branches of a US-based fast food chain during protests, officials confirmed this week.

The events took place in the last few weeks in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

At least 11 stores of the chain were vandalized by protesters armed with sticks, with several locations that maintained damage to property.

Security has since been increased, especially in Lahore, where police say they are actively monitoring and protecting 27 business after two were attacked and five other attempts at attacks were foiled.

“We are investigating the role of different individuals and groups in these attacks,” said Faisal Kamran, a high -ranking police officer in Lahore.

He noted that 11 suspects were arrested in Lahore alone, including a member of a political group.

However, the group, Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), refused, orchestration of the attacks. TLP spokesman Rehan Mohsin Khan said the party supports a boycott of Israeli products, it did not require protests targeting the fast food chain.

“If a person who claims to be affiliated with our party deals with such actions, they did it on their own,” he said.

It is believed that it is believed to have come in the middle of a wave of boycotts and demonstrations against western brands all over Pakistan and other Muslim majority countries in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The fast food chain and its parent company have not publicly responded to the events.

Meanwhile, companies in the affected areas continue to strengthen security as the authorities are investigating the coordinated nature of the turmoil.