Pakistan on Wednesday said it will release 20 Indian prisoners at the Wagah border on May 17.

"In pursuance of the decision taken by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on May 6, Pakistan has decided to release 14 crew members of the Indian cargo boat Raj Laxmi, as well as six Sikhs," an official statement said.

It said 16 other Indians will be released 'shortly' after their national status is verified by the Indian government.

India has currently verified the credentials of 277 Indians, 261 of them being fishermen. The number of Indian fishermen caught by Pakistan for allegedly fishing in its waters is over 300.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 7 Sub: Mr.Sami, you should know better. Either you are ignorant, or a Pakistani, or a pro-Pakistani. Nevertheless, these Pakistani boats pick up our Indian fishermen and their boats, with catch, sometimes ... Posted by p chandra Sub: Verification by Govt. This is very clear that they can be returned only when India proved their status. Without this, they cann't be sent to this country. And ... Posted by Sanjeev Sub: What about '71 PoWs?? What About the release of PoWs of 1971 Indo-Pak war. Nobody seems to talk about them. Posted by Anonymous Sub: pakis relesing fishermen we have to be careful to which guys the pakis r releasing. they might be spies in the nature of fishermen bye Indian Posted by xyz Sub: How does it matter? Does this really matter whether Pakistan releases Indian fishermen or relaxes visa regulations for the Sikh pilgrims? They are bound to take such steps because ... Posted by Chinmoy Kumar