Controversy and Firsts: Pakistan's Miss Universe nominee Erica Robin shakes the status quo
Pakistan has chosen Erica Robin to represent the nation at the Miss Universe beauty pageant, igniting a wave of controversy. According to the BBC, this decision has not been well-received by several conservatives within the country who argue that Robin, aged 25, is representing a nation that doesn't wish to be represented.
Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation, rarely participates in beauty pageants, as per the BBC report.
Erica Robin, a Christian, emerged as Miss Universe Pakistan after a competition held in the Maldives, where she was selected from a pool of five finalists. The Miss Universe competition is scheduled to take place in El Salvador this November, marking a historic moment for Pakistan.
Robin's selection as the first-ever Pakistani representative in the Miss Universe's 72-year history was not without controversy.
During her selection process, she was asked about her aspirations for her country, to which she responded, «I would want to change this mindset that Pakistan is a backward country.»
Ironically, her nomination has triggered backlash and drawn attention to the very mindset she aimed to challenge. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party condemned the decision as «shameful.» The public outcry has reached such a level that the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, has initiated an official investigation, according to the BBC.
Responding to the controversy, Erica Robin expressed her pride in representing Pakistan and her puzzlement over the backlash.
She said, «It feels great to represent Pakistan. But I don't understand where the backlash is coming from.
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