LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has denounced violent actions under the guise of supporting Gaza, asserting that those involved in such acts are, in fact, destabilising the country and harming its people instead of aiding Palestinians.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, she said that violent elements were exploiting the Palestinian cause to carry out attacks on businesses and public property in Punjab.

In recent weeks, mobs have ransacked several foreign fast food chain outlets and other businesses across the country. At least oneperson was killed in such an incident in Sheikhupura last week.

A day earlier, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry had said that those who vandalise such outlets will be `treated as terrorists`.

`Those who are trying to set properties on fire in the name of Gaza are certainly not Pakistanis, nor do they love this country. They are against peace, development, and foreign investment in Pakistan,` Ms Bokhari said.

Referring to recent attacks on food chains and businesses, she revealed that around 25,000 Pakistanis were employed in these franchises across the country, asserting that those injured in these attacks, as well as the deceased man, were also Pakistanis.

She did not rule out the involvement of `foreign hands` behind the unrest, saying that external elements could be attempting to destabilise Pakistan under the guise of Gaza solidarity protests.

Highlighting religious and ethical contradictions in recent attacks, she questioned howattacking fellow Muslims in the countrycouldbe considered an act of solidarity with Palestinians.

`If 25,000 Pakistanis lose their jobs, how will it help Muslims in Gaza?` The minister made it clear that the government would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands in the name of religion, solidarity, or political motives.

Ms Bokhari said that 149 individuals involved in these attacks had been arrested and 14 FIRs registered against them in various districts of Punjab.

She stressed that legitimate and peaceful protests were being held by various political and religious parties, and the government had no objection to those demonstrations. `We are also part of those peaceful protests.

She claimed the Pakistan`s government was already actively raising the issue of Gaza at global forums. The prime minister raised the Palestinian issue forcefully at platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, she said.