Pakistan Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Christian Man in Blasphemy Case

Pakistan's Supreme Court issued a ruling on October 7, 2026, in the case of two Christian brothers who had been on death row for over eight years. The court upheld the death sentence of Qaisar Ayub, 49, while acquitting his brother Amoon Ayub, 46, citing insufficient evidence of direct involvement.

The brothers were convicted in 2018 on charges of managing a website containing content deemed offensive to the Prophet Muhammad. The case originated in 2011. Qaisar Ayub has consistently maintained that he shut down the website in 2009 and that others reactivated it using his name.

Human rights organizations including CLAAS-UK and the American Center for Law and Justice expressed deep concern over the upheld sentence. Legal teams said they plan to file review petitions and engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms.

Separately, on October 9, 2026, a Muslim mob burned the home and pharmacy of a Christian man named Kamran Gill in Gharial Kalan village in Sheikhupura District. The attack followed allegations that Gill had shared a blasphemous video on social media. More than 35 Christian families fled the village following the incident.

Pakistan's Penal Code Section 295-C criminalizes blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad, with punishments ranging from life imprisonment to death. Advocacy groups including Open Doors continue to rank Pakistan among countries with severe levels of Christian persecution.

A UK Home Office report from July 2026 noted that while Christians in Pakistan can generally practice their faith, they remain disproportionately vulnerable to blasphemy allegations, particularly if perceived to be proselytizing. Digital interactions, including social media posts, are increasingly cited as grounds for accusations.