Defense Minister Khawaja Asif found himself at the center of a viral social media storm after a “Pizza Hut” outlet he inaugurated in Sialkot Cantonment was disowned by the official franchise. Images and videos of the minister performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony circulated widely before Pizza Hut Pakistan issued an urgent public notice clarifying that the establishment has no legal connection to the brand or its global owner, Yum! Brands. The company warned that the unauthorized outlet does not adhere to international food safety standards, recipes, or quality controls.
Khawaja Asif has faced backlash after he inaugurated a fake Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot.
Read More: https://t.co/Pceg2r1iBy#KhawajaAsif #PizzaHut #Sialkot pic.twitter.com/QfIPFlo3NN
— Kashmir Digital (@KashmirDigital1) January 20, 2026
The incident sparked a wave of mockery online, with many users questioning the “due diligence” of the minister’s staff. In its statement, the official franchise confirmed it had reported the trademark misuse to local authorities to protect its brand integrity. While some social media defenders claimed the branch was previously legitimate and only recently lost its license, the official stance from the company remains that it is a “fraudulent” operation.
You May Like To Read: Uncertainty in Japan: Why Your Benefits Might Be on Hold
Critics have labeled the mix-up as “peak Pakistan,” highlighting the ongoing struggles with intellectual property enforcement and the trend of public figures endorsing private businesses without verification. Khawaja Asif has yet to issue a formal comment on the oversight. The Sialkot Cantonment authorities are reportedly looking into the matter following the formal complaint by the licensed franchise holders.
Check out our latest video:
