From women’s safety to climate change, Miss Universe Pakistan aims to inspire change in the country
KARACHI: Islamabad-based venture capitalist turned model Noor Sharmina will represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Her biggest goal is to bring about change in her country, especially on issues like women’s safety and climate change.
Zarmina, who was born in Islamabad but lived abroad for over 10 years, left a career as a venture capitalist in London to enroll in drama school before returning to Pakistan in 2023 to pursue a career in acting and modelling.
After shooting with a number of top brands in Pakistan, she applied to compete in the Miss Universe Pakistan 2024 contest and was one of the 21 candidates shortlisted to win the pageant in the Maldives on July 20. The pageant is organised by Dubai-based Eugane Group, which also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt.
Over the coming weeks and months, Sharmina will be training hard in preparation for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in Mexico for the first time since 2007.
As she heads to Mexico for the ultimate competition, the 29-year-old said she wants to be an “agent of positive change” for her country.
“[If I win the Miss Universe 2024 title]”I want to put some of my ideas into practice soon on women’s safety in Pakistan and combating climate change,” Zarmina, who studied biology and business, told Arab News in an interview this week. “So I want to look into some of these social issues that I talked about soon.”
Women’s safety and climate change are major challenges in Pakistan, which is consistently ranked as the most dangerous country for women, with thousands of cases of violence against women occurring every year, ranging from rape and acid attacks to sexual assaults, kidnappings and so-called “honour killings”.
This South Asian country of 240 million people is also one of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“There are so many issues facing women in Pakistan but so few voices that can really reflect that on the global stage,” said Zarmina, who will be the second Pakistani woman to win the Miss Universe Pakistan title after Erica Robin in 2023.
“So I want to listen and hear those issues and do my best to communicate that accurately to the world.”
The model and actor said it was “disappointing” that it had taken “such a long time” for Pakistani women to take part in major beauty pageants.
“Not only do we have beautiful women, but we have incredibly talented, talented, smart, outspoken women in leadership positions. The world has a very different perception of who we are, what we do and what we are capable of,” she said.
“So I’m really looking forward to showing everyone what we’re capable of. It’s a big responsibility and I don’t take it lightly. I’ll try to do my best and make Pakistan proud.”
“Cultural Sensitivity”
Last year, Karachi-based model Erica Robin was crowned Miss Universe Pakistan from among five finalists at a pageant held in the Maldives, sparking outrage in Pakistan. Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed called it a “shame” and then-caretaker prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar ordered an investigation. There was also vitriol online, accusing Robin of bringing shame to Pakistan and its Islamic values, and calls for the government to condemn the Miss Universe pageant altogether.
But when Robin slid onto the stage at Miss Universe in El Salvador as Pakistan’s first contestant, she wrote on Instagram that she felt “fortunate that a woman of Pakistani origin had the opportunity to meet and bond with almost 90 incredible representatives from all over the world who speak for equality, purpose and sisterhood.”
Zarmina agreed with Robin that participating in a global pageant like Miss Universe gave her an opportunity to present Pakistan in a better light.
“Change your impression [of the country] It all comes down to a little conversation. [and] “Personal interactions are important, whether it’s a conversation with Representative Mexico or Representative U.S.,” she explained.
“I want them to know that Pakistan has a very rich culture that is centred around respect, love, passion and unity. So I want to impart that and leave a lasting impression.”
Zarmina also said it was important for her to take part in events while keeping in mind the “cultural sensitivities” of her home country.
“I come from an international background and I have no qualms about wearing a variety of clothes. But I am very aware of the cultural sensitivities in Pakistan and of course I want to respect them. I want to wear clothes that will make everyone in Pakistan proud to see me wearing them,” the Miss Universe candidate said.
Zarmina, who has lived and worked in the UK, US, South Africa, Romania, UAE, Singapore, Canada and Portugal, said she is now excited to take up more projects as a model and actress in Pakistan.
“A lot of people feel they need to leave. [Pakistan] It felt a bit like going in the opposite direction. But coming back to Pakistan was the best decision I ever made… The entertainment industry in Pakistan is still in its infancy. It is evolving. The types of stories being told on screen are maturing. It’s the most exciting time to be an actor in Pakistan.”
Asked if he wanted to send a message to the world in light of the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine and elsewhere, Zarmina added:
“If I get the right opportunity, I will always advocate for peace. I don’t think anyone believes that innocent lives should be lost because of a political situation. So I will always advocate for peace and hope I can receive the same energy there.”
