PESHAWAR, Dec 9: Pakistan People`s Party leaders on Monday criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s remarks against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto`s nationalisation policy and defended the former premier`s policy to put private entities under the administrative control of the federal government saying it contributed to the people`s welfare.

They also declared the current federal government`s policies a total failure.

PPP provincial General Secretary Hamayun Khan, Information Secretary Liaquat Shabab and Coordination Secretary Ayub Shah told a news conference at Peshawar Press Club that the prime minister had failed to fulfil his public commitments on socioeconomic development and was leveling baseless charges against the PPP leaders to save himself from embarrassment.

Mr Hamayun said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto deserved praise for nationalising financial organisations, givingPESHAWAR, Dec 9: Pakistan People`s Party leaders on Monday criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s remarks against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto`s nationalisation policy and defended the former premier`s policy to put private entities under the administrative control of the federal government saying it contributed to the people`s welfare.

They also declared the current federal government`s policies a total failure.

PPP provincial General Secretary Hamayun Khan, Information Secretary Liaquat Shabab and Coordination Secretary Ayub Shah told a news conference at Peshawar Press Club that the prime minister had failed to fulfil his public commitments on socioeconomic development and was leveling baseless charges against the PPP leaders to save himself from embarrassment.

Mr Hamayun said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto deserved praise for nationalising financial organisations, givingright of expression to workers and freeing labourers from the clutches of landlords and capitalists.

He said in the past, around 22 influential families ruled the country and it was Mr Bhutto, who strengthened democracy in the country and enabled the poor to raise voice for due rights and against injustices.

`It was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who executed the nationalisation policy by nationalising his own sugar mill in Larkana so that the rest of people won`t object to it,` he said.

The PPP leader said Nawaz Sharif was not sincere about resolving the problems of the poor people and therefore, he was issuing baseless statements against Mr Bhutto to the media.

He said the people were aware of the government`s failure on economic front.

Mr Hamayun said the people were in dire need of food and shelter and that the government should help them instead of creating problems for them.He said the prime minister should fulfil his pre-election commitments by serving the people otherwise he won`t be able to complete term in office.

The PPP leader said currently, the country faced the worst crisis due to lawlessness, weak economy, unemployment, inflation and uncertain policies and that the government should address it to the relief of the people.

He said his party`s government had resolved empowered provinces, increased the labourers` wages, strengthened economy and ensured freedom of expression, judicial independence and supremacy of law despite facing several challenges.

Mr Hamayun said his party was very popular among the people due to the sacrifices rendered by its leadership and workers for the country and democracy.

He said he was confident that his party would win the upcoming local body polls and come to power through the next generalelections.