ISLAMABAD, May 4: At least 29 Pakistani prisoners are expected to be released this month from Indian jails and repatriated.

The release and repatriation of the prisoners is expected during the coming visit of Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan towards the end of this month, according to an announcement made by the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust here on Sunday.

Former caretaker minister for human rights and Ansar Burney Trust’s chairman Ansar Burney recently visited India where he received a list of 169 Pakistani prisoners, 19 of them mentally deranged.

He was told that the prisoners would be released if their nationality was confirmed and they were given travel documents by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Mr Burney told reporters that his trust had located families of many of the prisoners to confirm their nationality.

The details have been sent to the Pakistan foreign ministry and the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

With the details provided to the foreign ministry and counsellor access provided by the Indian authorities, Pakistani High Commission officials visited jails and confirmed the nationality of 29 of the 49 prisoners in Indian Punjab.

Mr Burney said the Pakistan High Commission would prepare travel documents for the 29 prisoners for their release and repatriation.

The trust has also released the list of 29 women prisoners.

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