Pakistani minister trolled for inaugurating fake Pizza Hut restaurant

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif mocked after opening a fake Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot.

Photos and videos from the inauguration showed Khawaja Asif smiling alongside the restaurant’s owners as he officially opened the outlet, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

However, Pizza Hut quickly clarified that they had no connection to the new establishment, turning Asif into a subject of jokes and memes.

“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 company’s 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.”

Although the restaurant displayed Pizza Hut’s signature red roof logo and branding, it did not appear on the company’s official list of 16 locations in Pakistan. The statement confirmed suspicions that Khawaja Asif had unknowingly promoted a fake Pizza Hut.

The American fast-food chain also reported that it had filed a complaint with the relevant government authorities to stop the unauthorised use of its trademark and ensure prompt action.

By Jeyhun Aghazada