Shafiq Latif was arrested in Sialkot in the Muslim country's Punjab province in March 2006 under the blasphemy act, Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper, reported. Police accused Latif of desecrating copies of the Muslim holy book.

The presiding judge in a district court in Sialkot said the verdict was based on Islamic law, the Dawn report said. Latif was sentenced to death and fined about $8,000

The report said banners and posters went up in the district welcoming the court decision.

The ruling can be appealed.