Miss Universe Pakistan's Victory Sparks Controversy

Erica Robin, hailing from Karachi, recently clinched the title of “Miss Universe Pakistan,” marking a historic moment for the nation. Her victory means she’ll represent Pakistan at the international Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador later this year. While her achievement was celebrated by many, it also stirred controversy and backlash from conservative quarters.

Religious scholar Taqi Usmani expressed outrage and demanded government intervention to disavow the notion of these women “representing Pakistan.” Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan called participating in such pageants “shameful” for Pakistan, while journalist Ansar Abbasi questioned who authorized Pakistani women to join the competition. Information Minister Murtaza Solangi clarified that no government official had officially nominated anyone for such actions.

Critics argue that such an official inspection of a beauty pageant seems disproportionate and even trivial. Notably, this controversy parallels previous instances of backlash against Pakistani women who gained international recognition, like Malala Yusufzai and Sharmeen Chinoy.

Human rights advocate Ms. Yusuf condemned this misogynistic attitude, emphasizing that women’s achievements abroad should not be seen as stains on the nation’s morals.

Despite the controversy, Erica Robin received widespread support on social media. She acknowledged the immense responsibility of being Pakistan’s first representative in the Miss Universe pageant and pledged to uphold the nation’s reputation. For her, being recognized as a Pakistani on the international stage is an honor that surpasses winning titles.

Actress and model Vaneeza Ahmed, who noticed Erica Robin and encouraged her to pursue modeling, also weighed in on the controversy.

Re-reported from the article originally published in Hindustan Times