In July 2002, an officer of Pakistan’s Fisheries Department, Anwar Kenneth, was sentenced to death for blasphemy. He had been accused of distributing pamphlets, the “Gospel of Jesus,” one year earlier, a “crime” to which he confessed. He was charged and sentenced under the blasphemy law, and in addition to his death sentence, he received a fine of 500,000 rupees—about $8,300 USD at the time.

Unaddressed mental health concerns pervaded Anwar’s case. He had apparently proclaimed himself as the reincarnation of Christ and showed little distress over a possible execution, claiming he could not die. His arrest, in fact, came after he sent a letter to an imam "attacking Islam" and proclaiming himself Christ. People who knew Anwar said he suffered from a mental affliction and needed medical attention, but no mental health examination was provided. Since Anwar confessed to his deeds and refused a defense attorney, no trial was conducted, and his conviction was made on the basis of his admission of guilt.

"The Supreme Court’s decision to acquit him in view of his mental illness, though after a prolonged delay, will help in highlighting the plight of dozens of other blasphemy prisoners who are also suffering from mental health challenges, yet their cases have been pending for years." - Rana Abdul Hameed, Supreme Court attorney

In June 2025, Anwar was acquitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan at the age of 72, after spending 23 years in prison. His acquittal came as a result of his aforementioned mental health condition.