Canadian diplomat insists on following Russia sanctions

First Secretary McKinney says Moscow using gas as political weapon

LAHORE:

A senior Canadian diplomat warned the developing countries on Friday to be “mindful” of the West’s sanctions against Moscow, while looking for imports from Russia to meet domestic demand for essential items.

James McKinney, First Secretary at the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad said that Russia was using gas as a weapon and driving up the prices to pinch the world.

“We would want countries to be mindful of the sanctions placed on Russia,” McKinney told The Express Tribune. “Our view is that the sanctions should not be circumvented,” he emphasised.

Asked about Canada's position on the developing countries considering import of essential commodities from Russia to meet shortages, he stressed that the realities were more complex.

“We realise the realities are much more complex and there is no easy fix to it,” McKinney said. “Hunger and food shortages are real issues that have to be dealt with, but there is no easy fix.”

The diplomat warned that Russia was using gas as a weapon, creating shortages and driving up the price to pinch the world. Other than gas, he added, there was wheat, which had also been challenging for the West to look at, realising its immediate need in the developing countries.

Meanwhile, McKinney called on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza. Matters related to the current political situation, by-election results, and bilateral relations were discussed.

High Commission First Secretary for Political Affairs Amanda Sadlier and Political Officer Muhammad Zubair also accompanied McKinney. PPP Member of Punjab Assembly, Makhdoom Usman Mehmood was also present.

Mahmood said that the Pakistani government and the people were thankful to the Canadian government for its support to the flood victims in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mehmood informed the Canadian delegation that general elections in the country would be held on time and no one party could be allowed to have it their way.

According to a press release issued, during the meeting McKinney said that major problems of Pakistan were inflation, bad governance and political instability.

He added that Canada, like other countries, also faced problems of food security and shortage of energy, adding that Russia's use of gas as a political weapon was unfortunate.