ISLAMABAD: The revival of stalled India-Pakistan peace talks hinges on the outcome of foreign secretaries’ meeting in Sharm El Sheikh on July 14 which is also likely to determine the tone of Gilani-Manmohan Singh interaction the following day.

'We are looking forward to these two important meetings in Sharm El Sheikh on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit and we will see what the outcome of the foreign secretaries’ meeting is,' Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly briefing.

There are indications that the two sides would enter talks with divergent positions, India trying to recast the entire Composite Dialogue framework by limiting it to terrorism and Pakistan pressing for an unconditional resumption of talks.

'We hope that India would realise that talks are in our mutual interest,' Basit said.The resumption of dialogue, he stressed, should not be considered by India as a favour.

Regarding the emphasis placed on the Mumbai attack probe by India as a precondition for progress in relations between the two countries, the spokesman said that Pakistan was seriously investigating the attack.

'We are proceeding systematically. India knows well about this.'

Commenting on the unrest in occupied Kashmir, the spokesman said that the situation reflected the aggravating human rights situation in the valley.

'The Shopian tragedy, the ongoing protest in Baramullah resulting in the loss of innocent lives point to a serious human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.'

Basit said it was high time for India to honour its commitment to the international community and let Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination.

'The struggle for the right to self-determination cannot be brushed aside indefinitely.'

He underscored that the 'extremely fragile' situation in Kashmir could not be rectified through mere 'administrative and half-hearted political measures'.

PARIS POSTING: The spokesman sidestepped questions about the controversial appointment of Jahanzaib Khan, a district management cadre officer, as ambassador to Paris.

When pressed, he said: 'The diplomatic norms require us not to talk about a nomination in public unless we receive agreement from the host government and an announcement to this effect is formally made.'

APP adds: Giving details about a Pakistani family arrested in Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said: 'Our request with the Saudi government for consular access is still there. We are working on that and our missions are actively pursuing this request but as of today we do not have any response from Saudi authorities.'

'We hope that our mission would be allowed to have consular access to these Pakistanis as soon as possible.'

Regarding the mandate of the UN Commission formed to probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the spokesman said its mandate was to determine facts and circumstances of the assassination.