WASHINGTON, Aug 21: The United States is expected to release soon the remaining Pakistani prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba, official sources told Dawn.

A total of 58 Pakistanis were brought to the US military facility after the fall of the Taliban regime in November 2001. According to US and Pakistani officials, 36 Pakistani citizens are still imprisoned there.

The first batch of five Pakistanis was released in early 2003 followed by another batch of 11 in July 2003. There were three Pakistanis among 26 prisoners released in March this year. Three others were released separately, leaving behind a total of 36.

Pakistani officials in Washington, however, say that they have successfully negotiated the release of most of the prisoners who are expected to be set free soon.

"We are hoping that all of them will be released," said one official who participated in the talks. "But there are one or two prisoners whose fate is still being discussed."