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The fatal shooting of an employee of a global fast food chain in Punjab’s Sheikhupura by a charged mob has sparked widespread condemnation, with many questioning the growing trend of violent acts being carried out in the name of solidarity with Palestine.

On April 14, 45-year-old Asif Nawaz was working in the kitchen of an international fast-food chain outlet when two unidentified men opened fire from outside the premises, hitting him.

He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The police registered an FIR under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and so far, 40 individuals have been taken into custody, but the prime suspect remains at large.

The shooting occurred hours after a protest call by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which had earlier assured authorities that demonstrations would remain peaceful. According to the police, the protest had ended by nightfall, and the murder occurred later in the evening.

Last week, around 40 people armed with sticks and stones, ransacked another branch of the same fast food chain on Korangi Road in Karachi.

While many have supported non-violent boycott campaigns against Israel as it continues its assault on Gaza, which has killed 51,000 Palestinians since October 7, the latest escalation has left Pakistanis alarmed.

Social media users have expressed horror over Nawaz’s killing and highlighted how detrimental such violence disguised as protest can be for Pakistan.

“Again, how are we saving Palestinians by killing our own people?” an X user asked. “Don’t know if this’ll free Palestine but it’ll certainly destroy Pakistan,” another pointed out.

“No one seems to be speaking up for your own man who lost his life because of your one-sided humanity,” a tweet read.

Others called out what they described as a dangerous hijacking of pro-Palestine protests by extremist groups: “Even the most peaceful act of protest is being hijack[ed] by extremists,” a user wrote.

“This is just an expression of our obsession with vandalism, aggression, hate and violence,” another added. “Killing minimum wage workers does nothing for Palestine and goes against every Islamic belief,” a user noted.

Social media also drew parallels between the killing of Nawaz and the very violence such protesters claim to oppose, asking how attacking Pakistani workers furthers the cause of justice in Gaza.

“How is this killer of an innocent man different from Israeli forces killing innocent human beings? For me, both are butchers of humanity.”

Calls for a peaceful boycott resounded, with users saying that violence in any form is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause.

Security has been increased across other franchise branches nationwide, and a forensic team has been called in to aid the investigation. Meanwhile, many are calling for introspection, urging political movement organisers and supporters to take responsibility for their impact on local communities.

Protests in Bangladesh also turned violence last week. Pro-Palestine protesters vandalised outlets of American fast food restaurant chains in Bangladesh’s Sylhet, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal and Cumilla, The Business Standard reported.

In Karachi, a shutter-down strike was observed on April 7 on the call of traders in connection with the global strike call given by Hamas to show solidarity with Palestinians and denounce the genocide in Gaza.

Things took a violent turn when the mob attacked another branch of the same fast food chain in DHA. One X user said, “Boycotts don’t mean damaging property or looting. Anyone doing so is working against the movement.”

Netizens also highlighted that the fast food chain being targeted wasn’t even on the official BDS boycott list and questioned how minimum wage workers had anything to do with the genocide in Gaza.