The court gave the government three weeks to submit evidence Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity. The court adjourned its proceedings till March 14.

“As the deputy attorney general has sought a three-week time to submit a report on the status of Davis, the case has been adjourned until March 14,” Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Mohammad Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry ruled that Davis has been barred from leaving Pakistan and Punjab attorney general said his name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).

During the hearing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had requested the court to allow it three weeks to submit its reply regarding the status of Davis.

Pakistan’s Al-Qaeda-linked Taleban has warned the government it will punish any move to free Davis, adding to worries about a backlash as sweeping popular demonstrations bring political changes in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world.

“Hang Raymond Davis,” read a banner at the court compound.

The delay may embolden US politicians threatening to reconsider billions of dollars in US aid that Pakistan needs to equip its military, rebuild after last year’s punishing floods and tackle rampant poverty.

Islamabad may ask US officials to consider approaching relatives of the men Davis killed “and try and sort out a deal with them,” said political analyst Ejaz Haider.

There is mounting speculation the United States might back payment of compensation, or blood money, as laid out under Pakistani law.

Adding to the confusion is the murkiness over Davis’ role at the US consulate. While embassy officials have said Davis was part of the consulate’s administrative and technical staff, many locals have accused Davis of being a spy.