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.