Sharif, who is in Italy on an official tour told a luncheon hosted in his honour by his Italian cunterpart Romano Prodi, on Tuesday, that, ``the question of the possible expansion of permanent membership of the Security Council is a matter of vital concern to Pakistan.''

``Its expansion must not favour those who showed disrespect to its mandate,'' Sharif told the gathering pointing out that ``India had been denying the Kashmiris their rights of self-determination violating the UN resolutions that called for plebiscite in the Valley,'' media reports said here.

Sharif later also held a short meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. While proposing expansion of the non-permanent membership of the Council throughelection, he also opposed India's candidature in the category saying that too should be done on the basis of ``actual performance of different member states of the U N in fulfilling the obligations resulting from the charter and resolutions of the UN and their respective acceptability in their own region''. He further said these are some of the ``fundamental considerations'' and ``there can be no acquiescence by Pakistan to any arrangement.'' Sharif repeated his stand that the Kashmir dispute has to be settled to ensure peace in the South Asian region and sought the support of the international community in this regard.