India will release 26 Pakistani prisoners on November 18 at the Wagah border post as part of efforts by the two countries to speed up the repatriation of people languishing in jails on both sides.
India decided to release the Pakistanis, all civilians, after the Pakistan High Commission confirmed their identities, the Indian media reported quoting home ministry on Wednesday.
The move follows an agreement between India and Pakistan on dealing with civilian prisoners during the second round of talks between their home secretaries held here in August.
As part of the ongoing composite dialogue process, the two sides have agreed to provide consular access to all prisoners within three months of arrest and to release prisoners immediately after completion of sentence and verification of their nationality.
Both sides have also agreed to release all fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentence and whose national status has been confirmed.
India released 97 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 51 fishermen on September 12 at the Wagah border post.
On the same day, Pakistan repatriated 371 Indian fishermen and 64 Indian prisoners.