If I was scared, I wouldn't have joined politics: Gilani

"If you are in the coal business, your hands get black. If I were scared, I wouldn’t join politics," says Gilani.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani while answering a question on if he would go to jail or face contempt charges, has said that he is scared of nobody and if he was, he wouldn’t have joined politics. Gilani was speaking at the 75^th Convocation of Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore.

“If you are in the coal business, your hands get black. If I were scared, I wouldn’t join politics. I am not afraid of anybody,” said the prime minister.

He said that the media had never been freer than under his government. “I will give more freedom to the media. There are two reasons for it. First, when they (journalists) criticise us our sins are washed off. Second, the criticism takes us on to further heights,” he added.

Gilani said that his was the only democratically elected government to have completed four years.

“We completed four years in government while crossing the river of fire. Tomorrow (on Saturday), a constitutional requirement will be fulfilled which has never been fulfilled before. For the first time in history, President Asif Ali Zardari will address the joint session of parliament for the fifth time. He will give the policy statement in his address, but I would like to reveal in the upcoming budget we will give relief to people,” he said.

“I have passed directions to Ministry of Finance to create 100,000 jobs so that educated youth could get employment. The Ministry for Information Technology (IT) is under the prime minister and I am also giving several IT programs for the people,” the prime minister said.

Earlier in his address to the students, Gilani said that next year will be centennial year for Kinnaird College which is a very important year for Pakistan as well.

“The Army chief will complete his tenure in 2013. The chief justice, president, parliament of which I am a part, will complete its tenure in 2013. So the next year is very important for Kinnaird College and for Pakistan as well,” he maintained.

Gilani said that Pakistan Peoples Party had given autonomy under the regime of Benazir Bhutto, adding that the party believes in emancipation and creating equal opportunities for women.

“First woman foreign minister is appointed by our government and so is the speaker of the National Assembly. We have given women the key slots,” he maintained.