DERA ISMAIL KHAN, March 25: Federal Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that the government is shifting Afghan refugees from the South Waziristan Agency to safer places because of, what he said, the ongoing military operation against foreign elements there.

He was speaking at a gathering of Afghan refugees near Pusha bridge, about 20 kilometres from here, on Tuesday. He said the main goal of the operation in Wana was to eliminate foreign terrorist and their local protectors.

He reiterated that Pakistan would never allow terrorist to use its soil against any other country. He hoped that Wana operation would be over soon. Later, the minister also attended a fair at village Katch.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal took out a protest rally against the Wana operation, which culminated at Topanwala Chowk in Dera city.The rally was led by MMA district chief Qari Mohammad Nawaz, JI district amir Prof Abdur Rashid and other leaders. The speakers criticized the military operation in the tribal areas and said it would be harmful for the country's integrity.