Pakistani Actress disappears in UK claiming she was a ‘Slave’

Pakistani actress Rabica Sahar has disappeared in the UK after visiting the country on an entertainment visa.

Lahore-based Rabica is mostly known for stage performances but also works as a model. She arrived in the UK on September 8, 2019, with other performers for a three-month tour at various venues across the country.

However, five days after her arrival, she claimed asylum, citing “slavery” and “human trafficking”.

She made the appeal just before the performance group was due to move on to Manchester from London.

Rabica requested asylum because she believed she was being enslaved as her manager had her passport.

A raid was conducted where Rabica was staying but the authorities could not find anything which suggested she was “enslaved”.

It was discovered that the manager had kept all the performer’s passports in a safe at their request, something that they confirmed when questioned.

Other performers who travelled with her said that they did not feel “enslaved” and were happy to be performing.

A number of other contradictions in Rabica’s statements have emerged.

Her social media highlighted her eagerness to perform in the UK which indicated that she was going there out of her own free will.

The Pakistani actress had also spoken to the media saying that she was performing abroad prior to arriving in the UK.

Rabica also posted photos and videos, expressing her excitement at being in the UK.

During questioning, she had claimed that she was being threatened by another actress named Ravina, who also travelled to the UK. Rabica also said that Ravina was responsible for enslaving her.

However, Ravina’s husband dismissed the allegations and said:

“Ravina is my wife. She is 21 years old and Rabica is 35 years old. How can she claim that Ravina made her slave?

“Ravina was accompanied by Rabica but she has nothing to do with her claim of slavery. She insisted me to arrange her UK visa, which I did.

“The three girls arrived in the UK on September 8 and there were no performances scheduled until September 11.

“During the first three days, all three girls were visiting together and sightseeing. Rabica used references to me and begged for inclusion in the troupe for UK which I arranged.”

He went on to say that Rabica gave him dance tests.

“I don’t know what happened to Rabica just in five days after landing in UK.”

I can’t believe that a lady happy to all of us wandering here and there and also visiting in London sightseeing happily, but now she is claiming slavery. It is too strange for me.”

He added that someone was trying to harm Pakistan’s reputation through Rabica.

The Pakistani actress had visited a government office prior to travelling.

She applied for a protector certificate which is needed for overseas travel and ensures that the Pakistan government is aware of where that person is.

It also requires the person and a family member to sign it, confirming that they are happy to travel.

Rabica’s brother Toqeer Hussain confirmed that he had signed the document.

A search is now on to locate the whereabouts of Rabica Sahar, however, according to Geo, a spokesperson from the UK Home Office refused to comment on the matter.