- BDS movement gains momentum in Pakistan as social media campaigns call for boycotting international brands with ties to Israel and support Pakistani brands.
- Local alternatives for detergents, cosmetics, tea, coffee, chocolates, fast food, and beverages are becoming popular choices.
- Protests around the world and on social media are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, demanding a ceasefire and support for Palestinians.
In solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has been brought into the spotlight. Protests around the world are calling for a ceasefire and people are looking for ways to support the Palestinians on the ground.
Social media is ablaze with people in Pakistan looking for alternative local products as calls for boycotting companies supporting Israel are on the rise. From beverages like Pepsi and Coca-Cola to detergents, makeup and food chains including McDonald’s and KFC, any international brand that has ties with Israel is on the boycott list. Products that netizens use on a daily basis are now being added to the long list of being boycotted.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Tiktok, the hashtag #BDSMovement is trending, with people identifying brands with ties to Israel and advocating for boycotts. For instance, McDonald’s is under scrutiny after an Israeli location offered free food to the military, and other global fast food chains like Domino’s Pizza, KFC and Burger King are also being targeted.
Some individuals abroad are boycotting Starbucks due to the company’s legal action against its labor union for showing support to Palestinians on social media.
Here’s a list of Boycotted Int’l Brands and their local Pakistani Brands Alternatives:
Detergents
Surf Excel and Ariel detergents are the most commonly used detergents in households across the country. As an alternative you can choose the local Sufi washing powder, Snow white laundry detergent, Surf Plus a Haripur brand or Imtiaz washing powder.
Selfcare Brands and Cosmetics
Maybelline, L’oreal and Garnier are all international brands, local alternatives include, Luscious Cosmetics, Zero Makeup, Olivia, Kala – Kola, Dabur Amla, Massarat Misbah Makeup, Sara Ali cosmetics, Medora, Sweet-touch, Hira Ali Beauty and many more.
Tea
Lipton Tea is a part of the conglomerate, Unilever. The recent boycott of Unilever products have led to people choosing an alternate to Lipton tea, i.e. Tapal, Meezan and Vital tea brands that are 100% local.
Coffee
With the winter season coming around and calls of boycotting Nescafe now rampant, Pakistani’s are wondering what brand to use now that Nescafe is on the boycott list, thankfully, Imtiaz supermarket has now begun manufacturing its own blend of coffee, this is a must add to your monthly groceries.
Also Read:
Meet Eman, a Palestinian Dessert Queen in Karachi
Chocoaltes and Confectionary Items
Instead of consuming international chocolates such as Ferrero, Twix, Mars, Dairy Milk, Toblerone and more, people are now moving towards local alternates such as Lals Chocolates, Belco, Candyland chocolates and others. These are not only helping the BDS movement but also improving the Pakistani economy.
Fast Food – Mc.Donald’s, KFC, Burger King
Noticed the drop in queue’s at KFC and McDonald’s, the boycott movement has been significantly seen in these two brands across Pakistan. Netizens have noticed the outlets remain empty even on the weekends. Pakistani brands that serve the same type of cuisine are Burger Lab, Clucky’s, Jan’s Broast, Karachi Broast, Famous O’s and the original Mr. Burger.
Beverages
SodaStream International Ltd is an Israel-based manufacturing company with a history of mistreatment of and discrimination against Palestinian workers. The company is now owned by Pepsi and has therefore been added to the boycott list. Coca-Cola also has manufacturing plants on illegal Israeli settlements. Pakistani alternatives are Gourmet Cola, Cola Next, Muree Brewery and Pakola.
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