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At a pageant conducted in the Maldives by Dubai-based Yugen Group, EricaRobin, a 24 years old Christian girl from Karachi, Pakistan was crowned as Miss Universe Pakistan, competing against five other women — Jessica Wilson (28), Sabrina Wasim (26), Malika Alvi (19), and Hira Inam (24).
This very accomplishment served as a pedestal for Pakistan to be a part of the international Miss beauty pageant, for the first time ever in the history. Now, in November of this year, Miss. Robin will represent Pakistan in El Salvador at the 72nd Global Miss Universe Pageant, one of the oldest beauty pageants.
However, with great victory came in some backlash, why, you ask? To be precise, the young achiever was called out as shameful by a member of Jamaat-e-Islami party, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. Also, the honorable caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, issued an investigative order on the same matter. Along with this, the model has been receiving harsh messages on the social media platform from the orthodox Pakistan audience.
Addressing the same when Erica was questioned, she 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.”
Additionally she recounted that when she was asked to identify one thing she wanted to accomplish for her country during the second phase of the pageant, which was aired on Zoom, she replied, " I would want to change this mindset that Pakistan is a backward country."
Despite this, she received plaudits from writers, models, and journalists. Specifically from journalist Mariana Baabar who tweeted in her support, quoting,” “Pakistan belongs to all. Every Pakistani can represent Pakistan anywhere.”
Erica’s official statement after the great victory
The official statement that Erica released on her social media handles read — “I am honored and humbled to be the first ever Miss Universe Pakistan and I want to highlight the beauty of Pakistan.
We have a beautiful culture that the media is not talking about, Pakistani people are very generous, kind and hospitable. On top of that, I would like to invite everyone to visit my country and try the most sumptuous Pakistani cuisines and explore our enchanting nature, our snow-capped mountains, our greeneries and our progressive landscapes”. With this she invited the world to experience the beauty and warmth of Pakistan.
Everything else you need to know about Erica Robin
As per a Pakistan daily, Robin was born and brought up in Karachi, Pakistan, on 14 September 1999, into a Christian household. She attended St. Patrick's Girls High School for her last education before continuing her studies at Chandigarh's Government College of Commerce and Business Administration.
She started her professional modeling career in January 2020, according to the daily news, and debuted in the July 2020 issue of DIVA Magazine Pakistan. She later participated in several photo shoots and fashion shows for various Pakistani fashion labels such as Khaadi, Zara Shahjahan, Sania Maskatiya, Elan, and Sana Safinaz.
She stated in an interview with Voice of America that she feels very responsible and under a lot of pressure because Pakistan will be sending a representative to the Miss Universe pageant for the first time. She said, "I won't do anything, though, that would damage the nation's reputation."