Priya Aditi
Selected Miss Universe Erica Robin, hailing from Karachi, Pakistan was selected as one of five finalists at the inaugural Miss Universe competition held in the Maldives. She is currently preparing to attend the finals of the pageant in El Salvador in November. This achievement will be momentous, as it signifies Pakistan’s first selection of a representative in the 72-year history of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Erica’s response when asked what one thing she wished to accomplish for her nation was, “I wish to dispel the notion that Pakistan is a backward nation.”
On Twitter, models, writers, and journalists, including journalist Mariana Babar, lauded Erica as “beauty and intelligence.” However, the Jamaat-e-Islami party’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed referred to the event as “shameful,” and caretaker prime minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar directed the nation’s intelligence agency to investigate the individuals responsible for organizing the Miss Universe Pakistan competition, specifically those who appeared to represent the country without obtaining official government authorization. This transpired subsequent to a vitriolic discourse on social media platforms, wherein detractors claimed that Erica was representing a nation that did not wish to be represented. Kakar, meanwhile, condemned the Maldives pageant’s organization as a “horrendous deed” and a “insult and exploitation of the women of Pakistan.”
Pakistani Islamic scholar Taqi Usmani tweeted, “Five young women have been selected to represent Pakistan in the international pageant for beauty.” How far shall we proceed if this hypothesis proves to be accurate? “Perish the impression, if you will.” Ansar Abbasi, a columnist and right-wing commentator from Pakistan, questioned who sanctioned the participation of five Pakistani females in the Miss Universe pageant. Does Prime Minister Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) consider this a cabinet or ministerial advisor decision? Whoever may represent Pakistan without the consent of the Pakistani government may do so. In response, Murtaza Solangi, the present Federal Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting and a former journalist, stated, “State and government institutions represent the government and the state of Pakistan, respectively. No non-state or non-governmental organization or person has been designated by our government to engage in such activities, and no such entity or person can ultimately represent the state or government.
In Pakistan, which is dominated by Muslims, beauty contests are uncommon. Erica stated in a BBC interview, “It is an honor to represent Pakistan.” Nonetheless, I am baffled as to the source of the backlash. I believe it is the notion that I would parade around a room full of males in a swimsuit.” Erica, who graduated from Government College of Commerce and Economics and St Patrick’s High School, commenced her professional modeling career in January 2020. Several publications, including Diva Magazine Pakistan, published her photographs.
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She asserted she had committed no wrongdoing and stated, “By representing Pakistan on a global stage, I am not in violation of any laws.” “I am making an effort to dispel any preconceived notions that may exist regarding it.” She had further stated in an interview with Voice of America, “I will refrain from undertaking any actions that could damage the nation’s reputation.”
