Star Pakistani actor Meera was a decade ago banned from entering the United Kingdom (UK) over confusion during an immigration interview in English, Geo News reported Wednesday.

 

According to the report, Syeda Irtiza Rubab, known by her stage name Meera, was refused entry by the UK and subjected to “restriction of movements” for 10 years, which her family blames on “confusion out of an English language interview” during which both the actor and interviewing officer could not understand each other.

 

The report quoted Meera’s mother Shafqat Zahra Bukhari as making a heartfelt appeal to the UK High Commission in Pakistan to grant her daughter a visa so she could travel to the UK to meet her family and work commitments.

 

The actor’s suffering, however, did not end after the 10-year ban, reports said, as Meera was also refused a visit visa later when her travel agent entered false information into the application.

 

While Meera’s younger sister lives in Germany, the youngest sister is a qualified solicitor in London and her mother also lives mostly in the UK at the house the family bought with Meera’s money several years ago, the ban has kept the actor from entering the country.

 

“[Now] 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,” Meera’s mother told Geo News’ Murtaza Ali Shah.

 

To a question about reason behind the ban, Meera’s mother said that her daughter 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.”

 

Zahra went on to say that Meera’s English wasn’t that good 10 years ago, but since then, she has been in the US for 10 years, and she speaks fluently now.

 

“Several investors and businessmen here want to invest in Meera’s films and have been approaching her,” she said, adding that Meera should be given a visa by the UK government so she could continue her film and drama work.

 

Meera, the report added, had confirmed hiring a new lawyer who was working on her new application for a visit to the UK.