Riot police cordon off a street leading to the US embassy during a protest rally against the release of Davis in Islamabad.—AFP

ISLAMABAD: The US embassy in Islamabad will close its doors and shut its consulates in Pakistan on Friday because of protests after the release of a CIA contractor accused of double murder.

Small demonstrations broke out across the country after American Raymond Davis was set free Wednesday after paying $2 million in blood money to the families of the dead.

“The US embassy and consulates will be closed for routine business tomorrow,” embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said on Thursday.

The decision was made “for public safety at large because there may be demonstrations tomorrow”.

The biggest protest following Davis' release was in Lahore, where some 800 students rallied at Punjab University campus chanting anti-US slogans such as “Death to America”.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...