Pakistan, July 7 -- Hong Kong authorities have proposed new rules to limit visits to prisoners, including lawyers, doctors, and religious figures, citing national security concerns. The plan aims to prevent visits that allegedly influence inmates against the government.

The Security Bureau told lawmakers that some visits have been abused under the guise of "humanitarian relief" to encourage prisoners to hate the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. The proposal would allow the Correctional Services Department to seek a magistrate's warrant to block or restrict contact with specific visitors.

Hong Kong's Basic Law guarantees confidential communication between lawyers and clients, even in prison. However, Security Secretary Chris Tang argue...