Pakistani model’s participation in Miss Universe contest sparks controversy

WEB DESK: Pakistani fashion model Erica Robin is set to represent Pakistan in the prestigious Miss Universe contest, marking the first-ever participation of Pakistan on the global stage.

However, the news of a Pakistani woman participating in the upcoming Miss Universe competition has taken center stage.

Although women of Pakistani descent have previously taken part in beauty pageants hosted in various countries, Pakistan itself has never been officially represented in the Miss Universe competition.

Meanwhile, Erica Robin, in an interview with Voice of America, expressed her excitement for the competition and conveyed her commitment not to engage in activities that would tarnish Pakistan’s image. She emphasised her pride in being associated with Pakistan.

Erica Robin’s participation is historic, and she sees it as a tremendous honour to represent Pakistan at the upcoming Miss Universe 2023 pageant scheduled for November 18 in El Salvador. The event will bring together contestants from 90 nations to vie for the coveted title.

Read More: Fashion model Erica Robin bags first ever ‘Miss Universe Pakistan’ title

However, the situation took an unexpected twist when the Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi publicly stated that the government had not officially nominated anyone to represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

His statement came in response to a senior journalist’s inquiry on a social media platform, where the journalist questioned who had authorised the participation of five individuals in the contest.

Minister Solangi asserted, “The government and the state of Pakistan are represented by the state and government institutions. Our government has not nominated any non-state or non-governmental individual or organisation for such an activity, nor can any such person or institution claim to represent the state or government. Period.”

حکومتِ اور ریاستِ پاکستان کی نمائندگی ریاست اور حکومت کے ادارے کرتے ہیں۔ ہماری حکومت نے کسی غیر ریاستی اور غیر حکومتی فرد یا ادارے کو ایسی کسی سرگرمی کیلیے نامزد کیا ہے اور نہ کوئی ایسا شخص/ادارہ ریاست/حکومت کی نمائندگی کر سکتا ہے۔
ختم شد۔ https://t.co/rW5XGi2bV1

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 13, 2023

The Miss Universe competition, boasting an estimated annual budget of $100 million, is jointly hosted by the United States and Thailand.

Founded on June 28, 1952, the prestigious pageant annually attracts women from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform to showcase their intelligence, professional accomplishments, and dedication to social causes. The competition transcends barriers of race, caste, language, religion, and culture, serving as a global celebration of beauty and talent.