In an "egg-on-the-face" moment that has set social media ablaze, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif found himself at the center of a bizarre branding scandal this week. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Minister proudly cut the ceremonial ribbon at what appeared to be a sparkling new Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot Cantonment. However, within hours, the global fast-food giant issued a stinging clarification: the store was a total "fake."
The Grand (Unauthorized) Opening
The inauguration was a high-profile affair, complete with floral arrangements, a red carpet, and a smiling Khawaja Asif performing the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photos of the event quickly circulated online, showing the familiar red-roof logo and trademark branding that millions recognize worldwide.
The celebration was short-lived. By Wednesday morning, Pizza Hut Pakistan issued a formal disclaimer that turned the festive atmosphere into a diplomatic and corporate embarrassment.
"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. This outlet is not associated with Pizza Hut Pakistan or Yum! Brands." Official Statement, Pizza Hut Pakistan
Khawaja Asif, the so-called Defence Minister, ends up inaugurating a fake Pizza Hut franchise in Sialkot.
— MD Umair Khan (@MDUmairKh) January 20, 2026
Pizza Hut issued a statement calling the franchise a fraud.
These are the dumb boomers imposed on us. pic.twitter.com/Q77qLX3ekE
No Recipe, No Standards, No Affiliation
The company didn't stop at disowning the store; they raised serious concerns over what exactly was being served under their name. The statement clarified that the Sialkot outlet:
- Does not follow Pizza Hut International recipes.
- Does not adhere to global quality or food safety protocols.
- Has been hit with a formal legal complaint for trademark misuse.
The company further clarified that it currently only operates 16 official outlets in Pakistan 14 in Lahore and two in Islamabad leaving Sialkot entirely off the map for authentic "Pan Pizzas."
Social Media Field Day
Netizens wasted no time in poking fun at the Defence Minister’s lack of due diligence. One user joked that "5th Generation Warfare is looking delicious," while others questioned how a man in charge of national security could fail to verify the authenticity of a pizza joint in his own hometown.
Comparisons were also drawn to past gaffes, including the time a Pakistani politician mistook a GTA 5 video for real-life footage. On Reddit, users dubbed the outlet a "Form 47 Pizza Hut," a cheeky reference to the controversial election forms that have plagued Pakistani politics recently.
A Lesson in Verification
While the local owner of the Sialkot outlet has yet to release a statement, the incident highlights a larger issue of trademark enforcement in the region. For Khawaja Asif, what was meant to be a simple community gesture has turned into a global meme, proving that even for a Minister, there really is "no such thing as a free lunch"—especially if the lunch is unauthorized.
