Pakistan's Khwaja Asif gets trolled after inaugurating fake Pizza Hut in Sialkot, real one responds
PTC News Desk: Floral decorations were arranged, a red carpet laid out and cameras switched on as Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confidently arrived to inaugurate what was presented as a Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot’s cantonment area. The ribbon-cutting ceremony proceeded without a hitch — until the American fast-food chain stepped in to say the outlet was “unauthorised and fraudulent”.
The clarification came after images and videos of the event went viral on social media, showing the controversial minister unwittingly inaugurating a fake outlet of the US-based brand. While the restaurant prominently displayed Pizza Hut’s signature red roof logo and branding, social media users quickly noted that the Sialkot outlet did not feature on Pizza Hut Pakistan’s official list of stores. The company later said it had lodged a formal complaint with the authorities to stop the misuse of its trademark and ensure immediate action.
Shortly after, Pizza Hut Pakistan issued an official statement clarifying that the outlet was not officially affiliated with the brand.
“Pizza Hut Pakistan informs our valued customers that an unauthorised outlet falsely using the Pizza Hut name and branding has recently opened in Sialkot Cantonment,” the statement read.
“This outlet is not associated with Pizza Hut Pakistan, or Yum! Brands. It does not follow Pizza Hut International recipes, quality protocols, food safety and operational standards," it added.
Social media reacts
The revelation swiftly turned the high-profile inauguration into a subject of widespread ridicule online, with users questioning how such an event could take place without basic verification by the authorities.
“One ribbon cut, one statement issued. That has to be some kind of record,” one user quipped.
Another commented, “When even Pizza Hut says, ‘Not our slice of the pie.’”
- With inputs from agencies
