Erica Robin Miss Universe Pakistan: Is Pakistan disowning its first ever Miss Universe contestant? Here’s why Erica Robin is facing backlash

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Being selected as Miss Universe Erica Robin of Karachi, Erica Robin Miss Universe Pakistan, one of the five finalists in the inaugural competition held in the Maldives, is preparing for the Miss Universe finals, which will take place in El Salvador in November of this year. This will be a historic occasion as it will be the first time Pakistan has chosen a representative in the 72-year history of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. When asked to list one thing she wished to accomplish for her nation, Erica had said, “I would want to change this mindset that Pakistan is a backward country.”

While models, writers and journalists including journalist Mariana Babar congratulated Erica as “beauty and brains” on Twitter, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party called it “shameful” and caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar ordered the country’s intelligence agency to investigate the organisers of the Miss Universe Pakistan pageant and how they were able to hold the competition seemingly in the country’s name without the government’s approval. The Maldives pageant’s staging was criticized as a “shameful act” and a “insult and exploitation of women of Pakistan” by critics who said that Erica was representing a nation that did not want to be represented.

“Erica Robin Miss Universe Pakistan There is news that five young women will represent Pakistan in the international beauty pageant,” tweeted Pakistani Islamic scholar Taqi Usmani. How far will we go if that were the case? Let the impression go away. Who permitted five Pakistani girls to represent Pakistan in the Miss Universe beauty pageant? was the subject of a tweet from right-wing Pakistani pundit and journalist Ansar Abbasi. Do you think the cabinet or a ministerial advisor made this choice, Prime Minister Kakar @anwaar_kakar? Is it possible for someone to represent Pakistan without the government’s approval? (sic)” Murtaza Solangi, a former journalist who is currently the Federal Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, responded,

The state and government institutions reflect Pakistan’s government and state. No such person or institution can represent the state or government because our government has not designated any such non-state or non-governmental entity for any such activity.

In Pakistan, which has a majority of Muslims, beauty pageants are uncommon, and Erica told the BBC in an interview that “it feels amazing to represent Pakistan. But I fail to comprehend the source of the backlash. I believe it is the notion that I would parade around a room full of men in a swimsuit. Erica began her professional modeling career in January 2020 after graduating from Government College of Commerce and Economics and St. Patrick’s High School. Her images have appeared in numerous publications, including Diva Magazine Pakistan.

I’m not breaking any laws by promoting Pakistan on a worldwide platform, she asserted, claiming that she had done nothing illegal. I’m doing my part to dispel any misconceptions about it. She had also stated, “I won’t do anything that would harm the reputation of the country,” in an interview with Voice of America.

Even as word of her participation in the Miss Universe pageant ignites criticism in her country, Pakistan’s first-ever delegate has vowed to be “an ambassador for peace and goodwill”.

Erica Robin tells The National, “I want to convey the lovely side of Pakistan, away from all the negativity and vitriol that we see on some media outlets. “I also confirmed numerous times that I will wear a burkini as I have an immense respect of our culture – and it’s also my personal choice.”

Model Robin, 24, of Karachi, won the competition last month. She will be the first Pakistani to represent her country at the international event, which is one of the longest-running and most popular beauty pageants and is now in its 72nd year.

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While some have criticized the swimsuit portion of the competition, it is not required that Erica Robin Miss Universe Pakistan finalists wear bikinis on stage. Manar Nadeem Deyani, a representative of Bahrain, was met with thunderous applause when she entered the swimsuit round at the Miss Universe 2021 competition wearing a fully covered and flowing athletic attire.

Additionally, many have questioned the decision to permit a non-government organization to select a Pakistani delegate. However, anyone can own the franchise to host a regional pageant in accordance with Miss Universe regulations. For instance, Miss Universe Pakistan, Miss Universe Bahrain, and Miss Universe Egypt are all owned by the Dubai-based Yugen Group.