Meera's UK entry was banned for 10 years

LONDON: Famous Pakistani actor Meera’s entry to the United Kingdom was banned for 10 years by the UK immigration authorities, documents available with Geo News show.

Known by her stage name Meera, Syeda Irtiza Rubab is globally recognised for her work in Lollywood, starring in commercially successful films and excelling in modelling.

Papers show the UK authorities refused entry to Meera over 10 years ago and subjected her to "restriction of movements" — which the family has blamed on confusion out of an English language interview where Meera couldn’t understand questions of the interviewing officer and vice versa.

Shafqat Zahra Bukhari, Meera’s mother, has made a heartfelt appeal to the UK High Commission in Pakistan to grant Meera a visa so she can travel to the UK to meet her family and work.

Meera’s suffering doesn’t end only at the 10-year ban. After the ban ended in the recent past, to her bad luck, Meera’s travel agent applied again for a visit visa for the star but entered false information into Meera’s application for entry to the UK as a visitor.

Papers show that the application was refused too due to “false representation” of facts. Meera confirmed to Geo News she will be applying again for the visa soon in a proper manner.

Meera’s younger sister lives in Germany, the youngest sister is a qualified solicitor and lives in London and Meera’s mother lives mostly in London at the house the family bought with Meera’s money several years ago, in anticipation that Meera will live at her own house when in the UK. Everything went wrong when Meera was subjected to a 10-year entry ban, although she is a Green Card holder and visits the USA regularly but not the UK.

Speaking to Geo News, Meera’s mother said: “The entry ban is finished. Meera should be allowed to enter the UK. There are several film projects she plans to do in the UK. These projects are on hold because Meera has a central role and these can only be completed when Meera is in the UK.”

She appealed to the UK High Commissioner: “My family lives in London. Meera is a celebrity artist and a global star. She travels the world over for shooting. She is working on a film with Shaan which can be pictured only in London. I appeal to the UK govt to issue her the visa.”

Asked what led to the hard 10-year ban, Meera’s mother Zahra said: “Meera couldn’t understand the language when asked questions in English. The immigration officer at the Heathrow airport asked her about ‘transit’ but Meera kept mentioning ‘transaction’ in response.

She had to travel somewhere else. She asked for a transaction. I believe that both sides misunderstood each other. Meera didn’t give my full name to the immigration officer as well when asked about the mother’s full name. They kept asking the same question and Meera couldn’t grasp it."

Meera’s English 10 years ago wasn’t that good but since then she has been in the US for 10 years. She speaks fluently now. Several investors and businessmen here want to invest in Meera’s films and have been approaching her. She should be given a visa by the UK government so she can continue her film and drama work."

Meera’s mother said Meera knows the art of staying in the limelight. She said: “Meera is very intelligent. She knows how to stay in the media. She knows this art. She likes controversy and says things which are relevant and viral. She is the breadwinner of the family. She takes care of the whole family.

She is the kindest person you will meet. She kisses my feet. Allah has given her a lot and she made us prosperous."

Meera confirmed that she has hired a new lawyer who is working on her new application for a visit to the UK.