Canada denies lifting arms sales ban on Pakistan

Ottawa (Canada), May 22(ANI): Canada has made it clear that it has no intention of lifting a ban imposed on arms sales to Pakistan.

The Country's Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon's communications director, Catherine Loubier, ruled out any possibility of Ottawa discontinuing the arms sale ban which was imposed on Islamabad after it conducted its first nuclear test in 1998.

"Canada's policy regarding military exports to Pakistan remains unchanged," The Globe and Mail quoted Loubier, as saying.

Loubier downed the speculations about Canada discontinuing the ban which particularly gained momentum after Defence Minister Peter MacKay's statement that the Harper administration is mulling lifting the ban.

"Was it considered? No. There are no plans to lift restrictions on the arms sales ban with Pakistan," She said.

Loubier's statement are in complete contrast with MacKay's assertions that he made following his meeting with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other top officials in Islamabad earlier this week.

"We're contemplating that (to end the 11-year-old ban)," MacKay has said then.

Pakistan considers the ban discriminatory, as Canada had instituted bans on both Pakistan and India in 1998, but lifted the one on arms sales to India in 2003. (ANI)