Hyderabad: Pakistan's first-ever Miss Universe contestant, Erica Robin, a Christian from Karachi, has sparked controversy and criticism. Some view her participation in the pageant as a shameful act, given Pakistan's conservative norms. Online discussions, especially among Pakistani men, have been highly critical of the matter.
Robin was selected as Miss Universe Pakistan in a competition held in the Maldives, organized by the Dubai-based Yugen Group. The backlash against her nomination arises from the belief that beauty pageants are rare in Pakistan.
The critics argue that Erica represents a country that may not want to be represented in such a manner. Pakistan has a history of pageants like Miss Pakistan World but has never nominated a Miss Universe representative in its 72-year history. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed from the Jamaat-e-Islami party labeled it as "shameful" while Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar initiated an investigation.
While speaking to an international newswire, Erica said, "It feels great to represent Pakistan. But I don't understand where the backlash is coming from. I think it is this idea that I would be parading in a swimsuit in a room full of men." Despite the criticism, and some of the hostile responses on X, formerly Twitter, Ms. Robin expressed her desire to change the perception that Pakistan is a backward country.