Defence Minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif has come under criticism after inaugurating a pizza restaurant in Sialkot Cantonment that was later declared unauthorised by Pizza Hut.
Videos of the inauguration were shared on social media. The clips show Khawaja Asif cutting the ribbon with other guests at a restaurant branded as Pizza Hut.
Fake Pizza Hut?
After the video spread online, Pizza Hut Pakistan issued a clarification on its official Facebook page.
The company said the outlet was unauthorised and was falsely using the Pizza Hut name and branding.
Pizza Hut Pakistan said the restaurant has no link with Pizza Hut Pakistan or Yum! Brands.
It added that the outlet does not follow official recipes, quality checks, food safety rules, or operational standards.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif just inaugurated a fake Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot 😃 pic.twitter.com/sLPnQuBGqi
— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) January 20, 2026
The company said it has filed a formal complaint with the relevant authorities. It said action was being sought to stop the misuse of its trademark.
The clarification led to reactions on social media. Many users called for action by corporate and regulatory bodies.
‘Pizza Hut outlet was later declared unauthorised’
One user linked to PML-N Sialkot said the outlet was inaugurated on the personal request of the franchise.
The user added, “People appear to have completely lost perspective over the inauguration of a Pizza Hut outlet that was later declared unauthorised by Yum Foods, the master franchisor of Pizza Hut / Pizza Hut Pakistan.”
“It is important to note that this outlet was formally inaugurated on the personal request of the franchise by Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Defence Minister of Pakistan, and a senior political figure of PMLN.”
Further, the user claimed that he personally visited the same outlet on Sunday and placed a takeaway order. He provided images as proof of it.
“Quite surprisingly, the POS terminal used for billing was clearly branded as Pizza Hut (See notification), and the packaging and sauce (picture) appeared to be 100 per cent original, leaving little doubt about operational authenticity,” he added.
The user then raised questions about responsibility, asking, ‘Does this now mean that in the future, if a political figure is invited to inaugurate a business, he or she must first demand to see franchise licenses and corporate authorisations?’
People appear to have completely lost perspective over the inauguration of a Pizza Hut outlet that was later declared unauthorized by Yum Foods, the master franchisor of Pizza Hut / Pizza Hut Pakistan.
— Irfan 🇵🇰 🇵🇸 عرفان (@irfan_farooq70) January 20, 2026
It is important to note that this outlet was formally inaugurated on the… pic.twitter.com/PoHGPKTKwf
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