Why was Meera banned from the UK?

Pakistani actress Meera has found herself in the spotlight, this time over a decade-long ban that prevented her from entering the UK.

The UK immigration authorities initially imposed the ban after an alleged miscommunication during an English language interview at Heathrow Airport.

According to Meera’s family, she struggled to understand the officer’s questions, leading to confusion that resulted in restrictions on her travel.

Meera’s mother, Shafqat Zahra Bukhari, has now made a public appeal to the UK High Commission in Pakistan.

She urged them to grant her daughter a visa so she could reunite with her family and pursue film projects.

Speaking to the media, Shafqat detailed the events that led to the travel restrictions, citing a language barrier as the main issue.

During her interrogation at Heathrow Airport, immigration officers reportedly asked Meera about her “transit”.

However, the actress misunderstood it as a “transaction”, leading to further complications.

Additionally, when asked for her mother’s full name, Meera reportedly gave an incomplete answer, which added to the confusion.

Shafqat emphasised that Meera, a globally recognised actress, has multiple professional commitments in the UK.

This includes an upcoming film project with Shaan, which has scenes that will be filmed in London.

According to her mother, filming has stalled due to her absence.

Despite the expiration of her initial ban, Meera’s travel woes continued when a new visa application was rejected.

Her travel agent allegedly submitted false information, leading to another refusal.

Meera, however, has confirmed that she is preparing to apply again, this time with legal assistance to ensure accuracy in her documentation.

Meera’s family has deep ties to the UK, with her mother residing in London and her sisters living in Germany and the UK.

The family had even purchased a home in London using Meera’s earnings, anticipating that she would stay there when visiting.

However, those plans were derailed due to her immigration troubles.

Her mother stressed that Meera’s English proficiency has significantly improved after spending a decade travelling to the United States.

She argued that her daughter should now be allowed entry into the UK.

Shafqat disclosed that several investors and filmmakers are interested in working with her daughter.

Despite her ongoing struggles, Meera has hired a new lawyer to handle her visa application.

She is hopeful that this time, the outcome will be in her favour.