8 October 2026 – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of Qaiser Ayub, a Christian father of three, and acquitted his younger brother, Amoon Ayub, in a blasphemy case that has drawn international attention for more than a decade.
On Wednesday, 7 October, a bench headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar dismissed Qaiser’s appeal against his conviction and death sentence. Amoon was acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.
CLAAS-UK (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) has supported Qaiser for several years. The charity welcomed Amoon’s acquittal but called the ruling on his brother deeply distressing and urged that every remaining legal avenue be pursued to save Qaiser’s life.
A case spanning fifteen years
The case began in 2011, when allegations emerged that blasphemous material had appeared on a website associated with Qaiser. He has said that he closed the website in 2009, that another person later revived it while leaving his name in its copyright details, and that he was not responsible for the material.
The allegations reportedly followed a disagreement between Qaiser and acquaintances at his workplace. Fearing for their safety, the brothers fled to Singapore and Thailand before returning to Pakistan. They were arrested in 2014.
On 13 December 2018, a trial court sentenced both brothers to death. Because of security concerns, the proceedings were held inside Jhelum prison. The Lahore High Court upheld both convictions in June 2022. In 2025, United Nations human rights experts raised serious concerns about the death sentences, including questions about the evidence and the use of capital punishment for blasphemy-related offences.
Questions over digital evidence
The prosecution’s case against Qaiser is understood to have relied substantially on electronic evidence reportedly recovered from a laptop seized by police. CLAAS-UK said that digital evidence in any case carrying the death penalty must meet the highest standards of verification, authentication and judicial scrutiny.
The charity also warned that the judgment could shape how future cases involving disputed online material are handled, with implications for Christians and other religious minorities accused of blasphemy.
Qaiser is being held in Sahiwal Jail. His wife and three children have endured years of separation and uncertainty.
A miscarriage of justice cannot be undone
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, said “We welcome the acquittal of Amoon Ayub after so many years of imprisonment, but our relief is overshadowed by the devastating news that his brother Qaiser continues to face the death penalty. He is a husband and father of three children whose family has endured more than a decade of suffering. No family should have to live for so many years under the shadow of a possible execution.”
He added that Amoon’s acquittal also showed the human cost of prolonged imprisonment. “Those years cannot be returned to him. His acquittal is welcome, but it also reminds us of the need for timely and fair justice.”
Mr Saeed said the misuse of blasphemy laws remains one of the most serious challenges facing religious minorities in Pakistan: “We have repeatedly witnessed how blasphemy allegations can be misused to settle personal disputes, intimidate vulnerable people or target individuals because of their religious identity. An accusation alone can destroy a person’s reputation, livelihood and family life, even before any evidence has been tested in court.”
He stressed the right of every accused person to a fair trial “Justice must be the same for everyone, whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu or a member of any other religious community. When the death penalty is involved, the responsibility to ensure that justice has been done becomes even greater. A miscarriage of justice in such circumstances cannot be undone.”
Calls for reform
CLAAS-UK is urging the Pakistani authorities to:
• strengthen safeguards against false and malicious accusations
• hold accountable those who deliberately misuse the law
• protect accused people and their lawyers
• prevent threats and intimidation from interfering with judicial proceedings
The charity is also calling on the international community to keep engaging constructively with Pakistan on freedom of religion or belief and the protection of minority rights.
An appeal for prayer
CLAAS-UK has asked churches, Christian organisations and supporters worldwide to remember Qaiser Ayub and his family in their prayers.
“Behind every blasphemy case is a human being and a family living with fear, uncertainty and suffering,” Mr Saeed said. “We sincerely hope that every available legal remedy will be considered and that Qaiser’s life can still be spared, and that Amoon can now begin rebuilding his life in safety and dignity.
“CLAAS-UK will continue to stand alongside persecuted Christians and advocate for justice, religious freedom and equal protection under the law.”
