London, February 12, 2025: Renowned Pakistani actress Meera has been unable to enter the United Kingdom for over a decade after being handed a 10-year entry ban by UK immigration authorities, a private news channel reported on Wednesday.
Documents accessed by the media indicate that Meera, whose real name is Syeda Irtiza Rubab, was refused entry due to a misunderstanding during an English-language interview with immigration officers. According to her family, she struggled to comprehend the officer’s questions, leading to confusion over terminology, which ultimately resulted in restrictions on her movement.
Following the completion of the 10-year ban, Meera’s recent attempt to obtain a UK visit visa was also rejected. Reports suggest her travel agent mistakenly provided false information in the application, leading to another refusal on grounds of “false representation.”
Her mother, Shafqat Zahra Bukhari, has now appealed to the UK High Commission in Pakistan to grant Meera a visa, allowing her to reunite with her family and work on film projects in London.
“My family lives in London, and Meera has several film projects that require her presence in the UK,” she said in an interview. “She is a global star, regularly traveling for film shoots, and should be granted a visa to continue her work.”
Speaking about the circumstances that led to Meera’s initial ban, her mother explained that during an interview at Heathrow Airport, the actress struggled with English comprehension.
“She was asked about ‘transit,’ but she misunderstood and kept referring to ‘transaction.’ The officers continued asking questions, and Meera couldn’t fully grasp them,” Zahra recounted. “Additionally, she didn’t provide my full name when asked, which further complicated the situation.”
Over the years, Meera has improved her English proficiency, having spent a significant amount of time in the United States, where she is a Green Card holder and frequently travels for work.
Meera’s younger sister resides in Germany, while her youngest sister is a solicitor in London. The actress’s mother also spends much of her time in the UK, where the family owns a house purchased with Meera’s earnings, anticipating that she would one day reside there.
Despite her visa struggles, Meera remains active in the film industry and is reportedly working on a new project with Shaan Shahid, which requires filming in London. Investors and producers have shown interest in her projects, but delays in obtaining a UK visa have hindered progress.
Confirming her latest efforts to secure entry into the UK, Meera revealed that she has hired a new lawyer to handle her visa application.
Meera’s mother described her as a media-savvy personality, saying, “She knows how to stay in the limelight. She is the breadwinner of the family and takes care of all of us. She is also a deeply kind person—she even kisses my feet.”
With her legal team now handling her new visa application, Meera remains hopeful about resuming her professional commitments in the UK.
