ISLAMABAD, April 17: The Netherlands has shifted its embassy in the capital to a luxury hotel because of security worries following the release of a film criticising Islam.

The film by right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders has triggered street protests in Pakistan and other Muslim countries amid calls for a boycott of Dutch goods.

Embassy spokeswoman Mirjam Krijnen said on Thursday that the Dutch Embassy and its staff have “a different profile” because of the film and want to avoid taking any risks.

She wouldn’t say if the embassy has received any concrete threats.

Krijnen said officials are looking at how to tighten security around the vacated embassy building so that staff can return.—AP

Opinion

Editorial

Limiting the damage
Updated 07 Mar, 2026

Limiting the damage

WITH looming energy shortages due to the US-Israel war on Iran, the government has revived a range of Covid-era...
Diplomatic option
07 Mar, 2026

Diplomatic option

WITH Operation Ghazab lil Haq underway for over a week now, Pakistan has demonstrated that it can take firm action...
Polio, again
07 Mar, 2026

Polio, again

ANOTHER child has fallen victim to polio, this time in Sindh. The National Institute of Health this week confirmed...
On unstable ground
Updated 06 Mar, 2026

On unstable ground

PAKISTAN’S economic managers repeatedly tout improvements in macroeconomic indicators, including rising foreign...
Divide et impera
06 Mar, 2026

Divide et impera

AS if the high loss of life in Iran, regional escalation and economic turbulence caused by the US-Israeli aggression...
New approach needed
06 Mar, 2026

New approach needed

WITH one World Cup campaign ending in despair, Pakistan began to plan for the start of the cycle of another by...