UK to ban entry of ‘hate preachers’ from Pakistan, Afghanistan

LONDON: The United Kingdom government is formulating plans to prohibit the entry of hate preachers holding extremist views from countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Indonesia.

The government, expressing concern over a perceived “shocking increase” in extremist activity, is actively working to identify the most dangerous extremists from abroad, intending to include them on visa warning lists.

As per the proposed measures, individuals on these lists would face automatic refusal of entry to the United Kingdom. It is understood that officials will identify the most dangerous and add them to a warning list.

This development follows an impassioned speech by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, where he highlighted the threat posed by extremists to the country’s democratic and multi-faith values.

Sunak said the streets had been “hijacked by small groups who are hostile to our values and have no respect for our democratic traditions”. Be asserted the government’s commitment to preventing those aiming to undermine these values from entering the nation.

“The Home Secretary has instructed that if those here on visas choose to spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people, we will remove their right to be here.”

In addition to addressing hate preachers, Sunak urged demonstrators protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict to ensure their actions are not exploited by extremists.