Pakistan to release 173 Indian prisoners soon, confirms Ministry of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that 173 Indian prisoners, who are currently being held in Pakistan, will be released by the Islamic Republic and sent home on February 16.

MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin took to twitter to share the news. "Expectation of return soon. We have been informed that 173 Indian prisoners are to be released and repatriated from Pakistan on 16 February," he posted. 

Expectation of return soon. We have been informed that 173 Indian prisoners are to be released & repatriated from Pakistan on 16 February.

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) February 11, 2015

Last month, Pakistan's Foreign Office had confirmed an exchange of prisoners list with India. 

Pakistan Foreign Office official spokesperson Tasnim Aslam had told the media that New Delhi and Islamabad had exchanged lists of prisoners under the consular access agreement between the two countries.