Pakistan defence minister trolled after inaugurating fake ‘Pizza Hut’ outlet in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif faced widespread ridicule after inaugurating what was presented as a Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot, which the US-based food chain later declared unauthorised and fraudulent. The high-profile ribbon-cutting ceremony quickly turned embarrassing as the brand publicly distanced itself from the restaurant.

Pizza Hut Pakistan issued a formal clarification stating that the Sialkot Cantonment outlet was falsely using its name and branding and had no association with Pizza Hut Pakistan or its parent company, Yum! Brands. The company stressed that the outlet did not follow official recipes, quality controls, food safety norms or operational standards.

Images and videos of the inauguration, showing familiar Pizza Hut branding and logos, went viral on social media. Users soon flagged that the Sialkot location did not appear on Pizza Hut Pakistan’s official list of authorised outlets, raising questions about the outlet’s legitimacy.

The company said it had filed a complaint with relevant authorities to stop the misuse of its trademark and ensure immediate action. Customers were also advised to verify official store locations through authorised channels.

The incident sparked a wave of mockery online, with many questioning how a senior federal minister could inaugurate a commercial outlet without verifying its authenticity, turning the event into a moment of public embarrassment.