Guantanamo Bay's oldest prisoner Saifullah Paracha, a Pakistani businessman held for 16 years at the US detention center, has been notified that his release has been approved by Washington, The News reported.

Paracha was arrested in Thailand in 2003 on suspicion of having links to al-Qaeda. He was later transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention center in the US in 2004.

The 73-year-old was never charged with a crime. He was cleared by a US prisoners' review board along with two other men, CTV reported.

Authorities alleged he was an al-Qaeda "facilitator" who helped two of the conspirators in the 9/11 plot with a financial transaction. He says he didn't know they were al-Qaida and denies any involvement in terrorism, the report said.

Paracha's lawyers believe he will be released within the next few months.

Detailed reasons for Paracha's release were not disclosed. The notification for release concluded that Paracha is "not a continuing threat" to the US, his lawyer said.

(SAM)