Pakistan's Supreme Court Upholds Christian's Death Sentence — and Frees His Brother
After 16 years, Amoon Ayub walks free. Qaiser Ayub, 49, remains on death row under Pakistan's blasphemy law, and his lawyers will ask the court to reconsider
The short answer
According to Morning Star News, Pakistan's Supreme Court on 7 October 2026 upheld the blasphemy conviction and death sentence of Qaiser Ayub, a 49-year-old Christian from Lahore, under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, while acquitting his brother Amoon Ayub, 46, who has been released. Both were sentenced to death by a trial court in 2018 over a complaint first filed in 2010. The Organization for Legal Aid and the ACLJ plan to file a revision petition asking the court to reconsider.
One brother is home. The other is still on death row.
What the Court Decided
On 7 October, a three-judge bench of Pakistan's Supreme Court — Chief Justice Yahya Afridi with Justices Shakeel Ahmad and Ishtiaq Ibrahim — upheld the conviction and death sentence of Qaiser Ayub, a 49-year-old Christian from Lahore, according to Morning Star News. It acquitted his brother, Amoon Ayub, 46, who has been released.
"After 16 years, Pakistan's Supreme Court freed Amoon Ayub but upheld his brother Qaiser's death sentence under the blasphemy law. His lawyers are asking the court to reconsider."
Click to copy and shareSixteen Years
The case began with a complaint by a man named Muhammad Saeed in August 2010, alleging that the brothers had published derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad online. A police report was registered in June 2011. A trial court sentenced both brothers to death in 2018 under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death penalty. The Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench upheld both convictions in 2022.
Through all of it, Amoon's wife, Huma, visited her husband in prison every week. Now he's free.
What Happens Next
The brothers were represented by the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA). "ACLJ/OLA will file a revision petition asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision," said Shaheryar Gill, the senior counsel who heads it.
The Wider Picture
Pakistan ranks 8th on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List. Its blasphemy laws are among the most dangerous in the world for Christians, not only because of the courts but because an accusation alone can trigger mob violence. Christians accused under 295-C often spend many years in prison before any appeal is heard — as this case shows.
Pray with joy for Amoon and Huma. Pray with urgency for Qaiser.
After 16 years, Pakistan's Supreme Court freed Amoon Ayub but upheld his brother Qaiser's death sentence under the blasphemy law. His lawyers are asking the court to reconsider.
Biblical Perspective
Scripture holds joy and grief together: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). It also calls God's people to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" (Proverbs 31:8) and to remember prisoners as if bound with them (Hebrews 13:3).
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."
— Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Father, thank You for Amoon Ayub's release after sixteen years, and for Huma's faithfulness. We cry out for Qaiser Ayub: preserve his life, strengthen his faith, and give wisdom and favour to his lawyers as they ask the court to reconsider. Protect Christians in Pakistan from false accusation and violence. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›God has not forgotten Qaiser Ayub!
- ›Justice will roll down like waters!
- ›We rejoice with Amoon and Huma — and we keep praying!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Qaiser Ayub by name, and for the revision petition.
- 2Thank God for Amoon Ayub's release and pray for his recovery after 16 years.
- 3Read our guide on how to pray for the persecuted church.
"Pakistan's Supreme Court freed one Christian brother and upheld the other's death sentence. Pray for Qaiser Ayub."
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"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
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Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
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Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What happened in the Qaiser Ayub blasphemy case?
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According to Morning Star News, Pakistan's Supreme Court on 7 October 2026 upheld Qaiser Ayub's blasphemy conviction and death sentence under Section 295-C, and acquitted his brother Amoon Ayub, who was released. Lawyers from the ACLJ and the Organization for Legal Aid plan to file a revision petition.
What is Section 295-C of Pakistan's Penal Code?
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Section 295-C is the part of Pakistan's blasphemy law that criminalises derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad and carries a mandatory death sentence. It was added to the law about 40 years ago.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Christian's Death Sentence Upheld under Blasphemy Law in PakistanMorning Star News
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."
Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)
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