Pakistan Supreme Court Acquits Two Brothers After Two Decades on Death Row

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has overturned the death sentences of brothers Umar Draz and Liaqat Ali, who spent approximately 20 years in prison on blasphemy charges. The court’s decision followed new psychiatric evaluations conducted in 2023 and 2025, which diagnosed both men with bipolar disorder and psychotic symptoms. These findings led the three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, to conclude that there was reasonable doubt regarding the brothers' criminal responsibility at the time of the alleged offenses.

The case originated in 2006 following a marital dispute involving Draz, who had reportedly declared a conversion from Islam during divorce proceedings. His brother, Liaqat Ali, was later implicated after allegedly blasphemous documents were found among personal belongings. While an initial 2007 medical examination deemed the men mentally sound, the Supreme Court ultimately granted them the benefit of the doubt. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim authored the judgment, while Justice Shakeel Ahmad noted in a concurring opinion that a psychiatric diagnosis does not inherently establish legal incapacity. The court has ordered the brothers' release and mandated that they receive continued medical care.