Miss Pakistan World

Miss Earth Pakistan 2011 - Sanober Hussain

2011-12-03T08:49:00.001-08:00

Miss Pakistan Globe 2011 - Attia Bano in Albania

2011-10-30T19:26:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan Globe - Attia Bano doing international charity, talent and touring

2011-10-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2011

2011-10-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Attia Bano - Miss Pakistan Globe 2011

2011-10-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

Pakistani beauty in Albania- Attia Bano - Miss Pakistan Globe 2011

2011-10-30T17:24:00.001-07:00

Pakistani beauty in Albania- Attia Bano - Miss Pakistan Globe 2011

Pakistani born, 23 year old Attia Bano Qamar, who was second runner up for Miss Pakistan World 2011, is representing Pakistan in the Miss Globe 2011 pageant in Tirana, Albania. A resident of Norway, Attia Bano won the Miss Perfect 10 award as well and was one of the popular girls in the running for the title. She is one of the first representatives for Pakistan in the Miss Globe 2011 pageant.

Attia Bano is not new to the world of modeling and has been modeling since she was 15 years old. She is also an image consultant by profession. When asked about her experience and her newly attained title of Miss Pakistan Globe 2011, Attia replied that she was ecstatic and very happy to be having this once in a lifetime opportunity.

A diehard fan of the handsome and evergreen cricketer Imran Khan, Attia stated that the one thing she would like to see in Pakistan is that all children should receive an education. She wants to use the Miss Pakistan World platform and now her new title of Miss Pakistan Globe 2011 to change the perception of Pakistanis around the world especially in Europe where she resides.

“I am very happy and am having the time of my life in Albania at the Miss Globe 2011 pageant,” Attia claimed when asked about her experience at the Miss Globe pageant.

Pakistan being a 9 year old industry is making news around the world in the field of pageantry, and hopefully girls like Attia Bano and many more may help bring Pakistan on the map as the country with the most beautiful women!

Annie Rupani comes out in support of the 'Bigg Boss' star in her row with clerics

2011-01-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

Annie Rupani comes out in support of the 'Bigg Boss' star in her row with clerics

Miss Pakistan World Annie Rupani Sunday came out in support of Pakistani actress Veena Malik who is under fire from the Muslim clergy in her country for getting too close to Indian actor Ashmit Patel while particiating in 'Bigg Boss 4' in India.

Slamming Mufti Abdul Qawi who said in a TV interview that the actor has "insulted Pakistan and Islam" by her behaviour, the Houston-based Miss Pakistan World said they had no right to pass judgment on Veena Malik.

"I fully support Veena Malik for standing up for her beliefs and values. Though unfortunate, Veena Malik's lashing out may be the only way to make her voice heard. Women are constantly being suppressed under the name of Islam, when in reality, Islam promotes the equality of men and women," the 21-year-old Boston university student, who was crowned Miss Pakistan World in Toronto in August said.

The Karachi-born beauty said: "Currently in Pakistan, a high percentage of women are abused, beaten, raped, and killed, yet men are not being held responsible for their actions. Pakistani women's literacy rates are rising, leading to their outward participation in society."

But clerics cannot stand these women, she said, who are becoming "strong-willed and passionate, and pushing the bounds of traditional norms. They are trying to project this as a religious issue, but in reality, it is only cultural. Any woman has the right to choose her friends or husband, and Pakistan being a democratic country allows any one to marry regardless of religion. So Veena has not broken any laws or the constitution of Pakistan".

She said the bold actress has shown that Pakistani women are "beginning to push past their status quo and the culture is starting to deal with consequences. But it will take some time. Veena Malik has shown India that Pakistani women are not weak and submissive".

Asked if Veena Malik should again go to Indian shows despite all the turmoil her 'Bigg Boss' entry created, she said: "As I said, Veena did not commit any wrong actions on the show. Therefore, she should continue to proudly represent Pakistan on 'Big Boss'. She has changed the radical face of Pakistan in front of India. Not all Pakistanis are terrorists or support terrorist acts. And India knows that now."

Added her mentor and Miss Pakistan World pageant pioneer Sonia Ahmed: "Veena Malik has now become an icon for progressive and modern Pakistan women. She is one of the very few women who have stood up to the clerics."

IANS

Miss Pakistan World 2010 - Annie Rupani

2010-09-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2010

2010-08-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

Annie Rupani the new Miss Pakistan World 2010

2010-08-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2010 Contestants in Pink

2010-08-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2010 Day 3 Pictures

2010-08-16T00:31:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2010 - Contestants Shoot by Shahzad Ali

2010-08-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2010 Pictures

2010-08-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - Miss Pakistan World 2010 and a bit of Day 2

2010-08-14T12:23:00.001-07:00

Some more pictures of Beauty of the World 2010 - Ayesha Gilani

2010-07-24T11:01:00.001-07:00

Its eight years for the Miss Pakistan World pageant

2010-07-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

Started by Sonia Ahmed in 2002 in her University, the Miss Pakistan World pageant has now crowned 7 national winners and 14 international beauty queens for Pakistan. “What started off as an event gave birth to an industry for Pakistan,” says Ahmed.

An industry that never existed for Pakistan now has applicants coming from Europe, USA, Canada and some parts of Asia. This is the only pageant in the world for Pakistan, and follows authentic rules and regulations, as well as runs on international pageant standards. The contestants fly down from all around the world to Toronto, Canada and the pageant is a full 10 day pageant, where it includes, photo shoots, sponsor venue shoots, interview sessions, media pre-interviews, sightseeing, dinners at the finest restaurants and non-stop rehearsals. Canada has been the host country for the past eight years, even though the pageant began in the capital of Canada – Ottawa.

Running for 8 strong years, Sonia Ahmed has been the back bone of the pageant making sure that the contestants who participate have a chance on the international level in international beauty pageants. The international “2010 marks the 8^th year for this industry for Pakistan, and it is with great honor and pride as a Pakistani that I will celebrate this year and this event with the support of my sponsors and my contestants,” added Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World.

An array of girls of Pakistani origin will be attending from Europe, Canada and the USA. In a short time, Pakistani beauty queens have made a mark around the world and will continue to do so. 2009 saw a big year for the Miss Pakistan World pageant, from meeting President Musharraf, to winning Beauty of Asia in China a few months back.

On the 20^th of August 2010, the Miss Pakistan World will be taking place at the Pearson Convention Center in Toronto, Canada. An expecting audience of 650 people from across, the USA & Canada, mainly a Pakistani mix with the rest of the Southasian community will witness the crowning of the 8^th year for Pakistan’s only pageant in the world – Miss Pakistan World.

Miss Pakistan World 2010

2010-07-06T20:37:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan World remembers President Musharraf

2010-05-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2009 - Ayesha Gilani now Beauty of Asia 2010, wears a T-shirt which has President Musharraf's slogan "Pakistan First."

Pakistan wins Beauty of Asia 2010 at the Beauty of the World 2010 pageant

2010-05-22T03:11:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2010 – The Miss Pakistan World pageant founded by Sonia Ahmed, when she was in the University of Ottawa studying Business, was a start for a deep rooted change for Pakistan. The pageant brought young Pakistani women from around the world to compete for what could be considered the most controversial crown in the pageant world: Pakistan’s slow changing movement to liberate its women.

Ahmed comments, “Pakistani women have always felt compelled to stay in the background. They have never had the same opportunities to create a voice and stand for what they believe in. It was only after living in Canada that I realized that women really do have the power to make a difference and make a change. Change is very important and tolerance is important too, in regards to having a healthy and prosperous community.”

Beauty of the World pageant attracted 55 delegates from around the world to Beijing, China as well as the world finals took place in Zhangjiajie City which is located on the northwestern border of Hunan Province. Zhangjiajie city got famous with the release of the film “Avatar.” It had its name changed to “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” in a ceremony by the local people on the 25th of January 2010.

The winner of the Miss Pakistan World 2009 pageant and current reigning queen, Ayesha Gilani represented Pakistan for the first time. Gilani acquired the titles of Miss Pakistan Earth 2009, Miss Tourism Queen International Pakistan 2009 and finally Beauty of Pakistan 2010. Gilani’s strong pageant background made her the right candidate for representing Pakistan internationally in beauty pageants. Winning titles of Miss Congeniality, and Elegance, in the past pageants, Ayesha Gilani wanted to make a difference for Pakistan. In her previous pageants, she befriended Miss Israel and made sure that she sent a message of peace and love to her and her countrymen from Pakistan. She made sure that all nations that were present there saw Pakistan through her eyes.

Beauty of the World was a pageant Gilani was ready for as she wanted to bring Pakistan at a higher step of success. Competing with 55 nations, Gilani won the continental title of Beauty of Asia 2010 in Qindao, China. Pakistan’s 7 year history of beauty pageants had just another title to its addition. For Gilani this is her win for her country- Pakistan, as Beauty of Asia 2010.

http://www.prlog.org/10692954-pakistan-wins-beauty-of-asia-2010.html

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

2010-05-19T01:46:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that its been a month in China for me....(Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World). Miss Pakistan World got a new title called Beauty of Asia 2010 and Pakistan won it. It was a moment of great honour and pleasure for us.

These are some of the pictures of my journey to China and the winning of the title Beauty of Asia 2010 for Pakistan.

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

2010-05-18T10:17:00.001-07:00

Beauty of the Wall 2010 - Pakistan wins Beauty of Asia

2010-05-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Final day in Jimo City, China for Beauty of the World, now off to Beijing

2010-05-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

My goodness the last two days in Jimo city were fun, as the city is known for its hot springs, massages and spas. After completely massages, I was soaking in the natural hot springs, and then found my self, rubbing the clay mask, that the hotel offered for free for use. Not only was it fun, but what was a first for me was sitting in a pool of all fishes, nibbling at my feet. These were pedicure fishes, as they give you a pedicure. Of course Ayesha Gilani chickened out after 5 minutes, but I kept going on for hours every day.

I am off to Beijing, and can't believe that Beauty of the World 2010 has been almost over, 3 more days of China, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved every moment of it, and made new friends for life. My friend from Thailand, Pradit Pradinunt, got tipsy on Chinese beer and it was so funny seeing him dance around. I have cool pictures to add on soon. I have found my shopping partner Sevinc, known as Seva who is a famous TV Anchor from Azerbaijan, is always my partner for China Shopping.

I have met so many people from Azerbaijan, and came to know more people from Thailand, Korea, Croatia and enjoyed every moment of it. Beauty of the World was a truly great experience!!!

Sonia Ahmed

President Miss Pakistan World

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

2010-05-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Ayesha Gilani wins Beauty of Asia 2010

Beauty of the World pageant

2010-04-16T21:49:00.001-07:00

Wow, 2009 has been a wonderful year for Miss Pakistan World and has continued till 2010. Ayesha Gilani has been strong and wonderful, and did a great job. Soon we are heading to China to compete in yet another beauty pageant, Beauty of the World pageant. Yahooooo Beijing, here we come! I did visit China before in 2006 and now in 2010. 4 years later its a great feeling to go and see this beautiful land once again.

We will be traveling to three wonderful cities, lots of souvenir shopping to do as well, and great to be amongst the other nations.

So wishing both myself and Ayesha Gilani best of luck for Beauty of the World pageant.

Sonia Ahmed, Meets Atif Aslam with Miss Pakistan World 2009

2010-03-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Miss Pakistan World meets Atif Aslam

2010-03-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Ayesha Gilani - on Dunya Radio with Nauman Javaid

2010-02-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

http://dc212.4shared.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://dc212.4shared.com/img/227139281/303f396a/dlink__2Fdownload_2F227139281_2F303f396a_3Ftsid_3D20100222-000231-ee59caa7/preview.mp3&logo=http://dc212.4shared.com/images/logo.png&image=http://dc212.4shared.com/images/icons/misc/mp3_200x180.jpg&plugins=revolt-1,sharing&sharing.link=http://www.4shared.com/file/227139281/303f396a/interview_wid_Lavika_and_Ash_G.html&sharing.code=

Miss Earth 2009 Pakistan

2010-02-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

Sonia Ahmed- President of Miss Pakistan World

2010-01-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

Sonia Ahmed- President of Miss Pakistan World

A Change this year for Miss and Mrs. Pakistan World's by Sonia Ahmed

2010-01-23T23:38:00.000-08:00

I write this today as I feel that things have started working out in their own way for this pageant. When I started this, it was a Pakistani Student's Association project for Pakistan. I remember, I started a small little project with the help of like minded people, a small little club called Canadian Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan, and with that aim we wanted to raise funds to educate a young girl in Pakistan. One of the members started that from within her house and sponsored her maid's child for education. I was really happy for that.

Then I saw another need, a need to change the minds of people. Canadian Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan, a small little club, along with Pakistani Students Association gave birth to Miss Pakistan World, and finally Miss Pakistan World gave birth to Mrs. Pakistan World. Now both MPW gave birth to a couple of good individuals who want to see the name of MPW go forward.

I guess the year 2009 was the most blessed year for me, as things went well without fail. All major projects went well. And 2010 started well as well.... so lets see..... hope things go well.

Sonia Ahmed

President - Miss Pakistan World

http://soniaahmed.blogspot.com/

misspakistanworld@gmail.com

Miss Pakistan and Miss Israel

2010-01-23T23:34:00.000-08:00

Ayesha Gilani, "My FAVE picture from Miss Earth 2009 held in the Philippines, although it's just a silly joke with a deeper message.

They said, "Miss Pakistan, Miss Israel, please come pose for a picture with the roasting pig."
We exchanged glances, smirked, and said, "Ok."

Before leaving the Philippines, Miss Israel said to me, "You are my first Muslim friend... You have done a great service to your country." It brought tears to my eyes, and although I have great memories from all my international trips, this is my fondest and dearest.

This photo symbolizes my favorite part about international pageants, and about being Miss Pakistan World 2009: Friendship has no language, religion, or color. We all believe in the same core principles: LOVE and PEACE.

P.S. I love you, Noy. Kisses from Pakistan to Israel. ;o***"

A message from Miss Pakistan World 2009- Ayesha Gilani

2010-01-23T23:13:00.000-08:00

This morning, I wanted to share this message with the Universe: By Ayesha Gilani

Tahmena Bokhari in the news Mrs. Pakistan World 2010

2010-01-14T22:06:00.001-08:00

Porter: This beauty queen has brains and bite

By Catherine PorterColumnist

Published On Thu Jan 14 2010

Tahmena Bokhari admits a feminist beauty queen seems an oxymoron, but says it’s an important step in women’s rights. “We really have to challenge ourselves on how women can show the different sides of themselves.” (Jan. 11, 2010)

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR

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Tahmena Bokhari is Mrs. Pakistan 2010. She was crowned in a Mississauga motel in December.

The Canadian Muslim is also a diehard feminist.

Get your head around all that.

"It sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?" she says from the couch in her family's spacious Woodbridge home, dressed conservatively save the hot-red high heels she's wearing. She will tell you that, while she's tall for a Pakistani woman, at five-foot-five, she's short for a beauty queen.

"My definition of liberation for women is when women can really choose what they want to be and how to be it, without social, financial and cultural consequences or backlash," she says.

Bokhari is wearing black pants, a red shirt and a black jacket. Diamonds drip from her ears and pearls dance around her throat. She's pretty, but not supermodel calibre.

If she were a pin-up model, it would be for a feminist calendar.

She's educated, with a master's degree in social work from the University of Toronto. She's toiled in women's shelters. She organized York Region's Take Back the Night march five years ago.

She teaches social work courses at both Seneca and George Brown colleges and is a diversity consultant, sitting on Vaughan's diversity committee.

After the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, she flew by helicopter to Muzaffarabad and spent six weeks helping with the relief efforts, focusing on women's health in the refugee camps. She worked as a translator for foreign doctors. She speaks five languages.

In her blog about the trip, she quoted Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and black feminist poet bell hooks.

She is nothing like the cute, bubbly Miss South Carolina Teen USA who became a symbol of pageant vacuousness and a YouTube sensation three years ago, with her answer to why one-fifth of Americans can't find the USA on a map. (She sputtered on about South Africa and then Iraq. Watch it if you are feeling glum. It's a sure pick-you-up.)

Bokhari could eat you alive in a women's studies class.

"Are beauty pageants a stage where women are objectified and graded according to male standards of beauty?" asks the 31-year-old, nimbly revising my question.

"We really have to challenge ourselves on how women can show the different sides of themselves – beauty, intelligence, sexuality, culture, motherhood. Women are always on the tightrope. You can't be too thin, too fat, too old, too provocative ... Men don't have to go through this. It's a sign we have a lot more to do."

Dissent is at the heart of both the Miss and Mrs. Pakistan competitions. The Miss came first. Sonia Ahmed started it seven years ago as "shock treatment" against the pervasive model of a "good Pakistani" woman she found when she moved here from Karachi a few years earlier: demure, quiet, submissive.

"In our culture, if a woman laughs loudly, she is considered not a good woman," says Ahmed.

The response, she says, was outrage – from both conservatives and progressives.

"The feminists who would be appalled by this should understand, if we did this in Pakistan, women would be murdered and have their heads cut off. This is about women's rights. We don't want another Aqsa Parvez murder in our community."

To effect real change, she later realized, she had to get to the mothers. Change their image of themselves, and you'll change their entire families, which in cases like Bokhari's, extends to 120 people.

After three years, Ahmed started Mrs. Pakistan. Bokhari is the fourth winner.

There are no catwalks. No talent shows. No bathing suit competition, although Bokhari will have to don a bikini when she competes for Mrs. World and Mrs. Globe titles later this year.

The competition sounds more like Jeopardy! than American Idol. Over a week last December, eight married women from Europe and the U.S. were grilled by Ahmed and four other panellists with questions like, "How should we deal with the India-Pakistan conflict?" and "What is your stance on abortion?"

Ahmed says Bokhari is the strongest candidate to date.

Bokhari wants to use the title to spread the word on both a progressive Pakistan and women's rights. After years of finding herself a rarity at women's marches, she hopes the crown will buy her access to the unconverted: Pakistani-Canadian women who think their only option is marriage and kids.

"That's fine, if that's your goal," says Bokhari. "But they might want to have a career or hobbies. I want to encourage Pakistani women to get out there. I'm all for choices for women."

Bokhari herself never wanted to get married, she says. She had too much planned: school, a trip across Asia to study the many faces of Islam, her passion for photography. But a couple of years ago her grandparents both died. They had raised her for her first six years of life, in Pakistan, before she joined her parents in Canada. Her grandfather's dying wish was that she marry, she says.

Last August, she did: to an accountant she'd known since high school. He's the quiet one who brings in her glass of water during the interview.

Catherine Porter's column runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. She can be reached atcporter@thestar.ca

Miss Pakistan World - Fighting Who?

2009-12-18T06:27:00.001-08:00

Amidst the political turmoil happening in Pakistan these days, a set of optimistic Pakistani women have set forward to improving the image of their country - Pakistan. Ayesha Gilani, the current Miss Pakistan World 2009, made trips to China and Philippines to spread the good name of Pakistan. The country that has a beauty pageant set out of its own land, may from time to time acknowledge the fact that bikini adorned Pakistani girls are now part of a reality that most media critics and religious fanatics just shrug off, but nevertheless, just in the year 2009 reports of five international pageants proved successful.

One must wonder how beauty pageants change the image of Pakistanis worldwide, well for that Batool Cheema former Miss Pakistan World from the year 2004 declared, that just going to different countries and wearing the Pakistan sash brings a lot of attention. She also stated that people stopped her on the streets during public appearances and said that they could not believe Pakistan can be active in something like a beauty pageant.Coming back from Beijing, China and Berlin, Germany, Cheema is more than optimistic about going and representing Pakistan in other nations such as Poland and South Africa and is gearing up for the forthcoming events.

Why then this Pakistani pageant being held in Canada and attracting an array of Pakistani American, Pakistani Canadian or Pakistani European girls is in existence, when the nation as a whole is doing what its best in doing, ignoring till some outsider discovers them? Well, according to the President of Miss Pakistan World, Sonia Ahmed who basically prides herself in doing what no other Pakistani in or out of Pakistan could do, says that Pakistan is a bit slow in giving importance and don't have the capacity to understand the potential of their own people. Seven years have gone by and definitely, from the bikini factors to last year's controversy of how President Musharraf was considered extremely handsome by one ex- Miss Pakistan World. News headlines have been made thanks to the massive Indian Media. It is only then Pakistani media followed the Miss Pakistan World news, states Ahmed.

In Malaysia, where Pakistanis reside in great numbers, a recent Miss Pakistan World runner up, Naila Afzal, who is now the first Peshawari girl to make it to international pageants, representing Pakistan, said that she was overwhelmed with the response. Pakistanis love the fact that there is a Miss Pakistan existing, Afzal said, prancing around in her pretty red sash, which reads loud and clear, "Pakistan."

How optimistic can Pakistanis be? Since the Lollywood industry is not moving, and the music industry is relying on hits from neighboring countries, and where 7 years ago pageants literally did not exist for Pakistanis, how does it all look for Pakistani people? Well, if one looks at the pageant industry, even though its located out of Pakistan, one can say that maybe, just maybe there is something at least going steady, unlike any other entertainment related industry from Pakistan.

What exactly causes no love given to these young and beautiful girls who are bold and representing Pakistan? Well for that Sonia Ahmed, the lady who took a step to start this for her country fellow people, said that majority of Pakistani media has hard core feminists and religious fanatics in their media industry, who don't want to write about these issues without an angle of a bad situation or just simply how morally wrong these women can be. Stating that in the past the pageant was attacked by Amna Buttar, a known feminist and talk show hosts Nadia Khan and many no namers, just proves that.

Pakistani people want this and this is an industry that exists around the world and Pakistan has to be a part of it no matter what, is the statement Sonia Ahmed will stick by, no matter what may come her way - feminists or islamists. Surely proven for 7 straight years, no matter what the growing pains were from the pageant world for the company. So whether its Ayesha Gilani in Philippines, Batool Cheema in Germany, Naila Afzal in Malaysia or Sonia Ahmed in Canada, it is amazing to see that at least one industry has stayed steady for Pakistan.

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

2009-11-21T00:08:00.001-08:00

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

2009-11-02T01:47:00.001-08:00

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

2009-11-02T01:36:00.001-08:00

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

President Musharraf with President of Miss Pakistan World Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani

2009-09-28T21:19:00.001-07:00

President Musharraf with President of Miss Pakistan World Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani

President Musharraf with the President of Miss Pakistan World Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani

2009-09-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

President Musharraf with the President of Miss Pakistan World Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani

I was born ready’ - Khaleej Times

2009-09-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

19 September 2009, David Light (david@khaleejtimes.com)

Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani, who represented her country at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in Zengzhou, China last month, shares her views on the modern Pakistani woman’s right to enter such shows.

UNTIL AUGUST 2010, when she has to pass on her crown, Ayesha Gilani will be known as Miss Pakistan to all who meet her. The 27-year-old English student from Washington DC, whose parents hail from Lahore, won over the judges with her charm, wit and classic good looks. Always courting a bit of controversy, the Miss Pakistan World pageant makes headlines every year as clashes between traditional culture and values and modern ways of thinking surface to the extent that the show, now in its seventh year, can’t be held in Pakistan. Ayesha and the other contestants take such trivialities in their stride, however, and shun any criticism in order to portray the modern Pakistani woman.

Winning Miss Pakistan World was just the beginning of great things to come for Ayesha and was followed with a journey to China to represent Pakistan at the Miss Tourism Queen International finals. Coming away with the Miss Elegant Second Runner Up award at the final ceremony of the month-long event on August 28 Ayesha immediately took the time to speak with us on her way back to America.

How did it feel to take home the Miss Pakistan World crown?
It has changed my life. The moment the first runner up was called, instantly making me the new Miss Pakistan World 2009, it was a surprise because I didn’t expect to be the winner. The competition was difficult; every girl there deserved to win in her own way. This made me all the more proud to win. I feel honoured to be recognised as an ambassador to Pakistan. It’s always been my wish to show the world what Pakistan and Pakistani women are all about. What more could a girl want?

How did you find the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant?
This was my first chance to represent my great nation on a global scale, and I was born ready. During this past month, I have travelled through China, to large cities and small towns, experiencing the rich, deep-rooted cultures first hand. Each city left me with a different experience I will always cherish. Everyone in China knows Pakistan as “China’s friend;” I was so ecstatic! It was a month full of activities and competitions showcasing not only to each other, but to the world, different facets of our respective countries, ending with a spectacular grand finale show in Shanghai. I have had the opportunity to meet beautiful girls representing over 100 countries worldwide, and have developed everlasting friendships; friendship has no language. I feel proud to bring into the limelight the lighter side of Pakistan, apart from what’s displayed in the media due to a few rotten apples. It’s unfortunate the world has absolutely no clue what Pakistan is all about, what rich treasures it holds and what contributions it has to offer to the world. However, I am here to change that, along with Sonia Ahmed and the Miss Pakistan World pageant, and its supporters, and anyone else who has the guts to go against the grain.

Talk us through your experience of winning Miss Pakistan World.

It was a difficult, yet rewarding experience. For ten days, these brave women, the finalists of Miss Pakistan World, pushed themselves beyond their physical and mental limits. After preparing for six months before convening in Canada for the finals, there was essay writing, pop quizzes, choreography practices, working out, intense photo shoots, little time to eat and sleep, all the while reflecting a positive attitude though a smile and picture-perfect looks. On the day of the pageant, while doing my makeup, I came down with a fever. My head started spinning, my voice started to change due to congestion, I was sneezing up a storm, and my eyelids became heavy with exhaustion. I scolded myself; “Not today!” I popped two Advils, a sinus reliever, and an energy drink, and focused on my goal. A few hours later, I was wearing the crown on my head as Miss Pakistan World 2009. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right.” This is a life lesson I hope to share with the Pakistani women of the world. Every contestant had her own strengths; in my case, my go-getter attitude set me apart, along with my wishes for Pakistan to be recognised on a global level.

Why did you enter Miss Pakistan World?
Ever since I was a little girl, people have always told me I don’t look Pakistani, and I don’t act Pakistani. How does one “act” Pakistani? Apparently, people expect Pakistani women to be quiet, shy and oppressed. Au contraire! I have always been a confident, outspoken female standing up for her beliefs. Pakistani women do look like me and they do act like me, I thought. And now is my chance to educate the world on exactly how driven and headstrong we are. As a child, my role model was my older sister. She spoke up for herself always; she was beautiful; she was highly intellectual. She was the complete package. I have two young nieces now who I only hope to be a role model for. There are millions of young Pakistani girls worldwide who need the same guidance. I can only hope to be just that. In search of the golden opportunity, my parents relocated from Lahore to Miami, Florida, in the United States in 1971. Working his way up from attending college full time along with two jobs, to a Vice President on Wall Street in the financial district of New York, my father set an example early on to his children about the importance of hard work, diligence, and persistence in this life. That important life lesson played a role in my own motivations in life.

The bikini section is what has courted the most controversy. Are you personally comfortable with it?
The pageant queen is one who is supposed to represent the epitome of beauty, inside and out. Naturally, the first feature one notices on another individual is the exterior. In beauty pageants, a contestant is required to be physically appealing as well as intellectual. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the beauty of a woman; it is a God-given gift. I appeal yet again to the masses to remember that our existence is based on the concepts of acceptance and therefore harmony. If the human race were to understand and implement this thought process, can you imagine how many of the world’s problems would cease to exist? Yes, it’s a big dream for a little girl, but change has to begin somewhere. The handful of us who dare to fight this battle are just the beginning of a wave of positive change.

How did your family react when you won?
My immediate family has always been my backbone and has supported me in everything that I have done. They claimed they knew I would win, as I’m sure every mother thinks of her daughter, and were ecstatic when I did. It’s funny, but for some time they went around introducing me as Miss Pakistan World everywhere we went. Everyone should be blessed with as loving and supportive a family as I am privileged to possess.

What do you want to be in the future?
I would love to use this platform of recognition to help the less fortunate. Pakistan has many causes that need support, such as aiding the victims displaced in Swat Valley, and for children suffering from disabilities such as Down’s syndrome. I enjoy speaking to the public about being a Pakistani young woman today, and hope my words are heard by Pakistani girls growing up, looking for a role model.

I will continue my presence in the fashion industry as a makeup artist, beauty specialist, beauty columnist and model. Representing the Pakistani presence in the Western fashion industry is a particular focus of mine, as I plan to participate in Washington, D.C. Fashion Week, and work with extremely talented up-and-coming Pakistani designers. I hope to open an establishment promoting beauty inside and out in the near future. Finally, I would love to dabble in acting, as well, given the opportunity.

Ayesha Gilani Miss Pakistan World 2009 on stage for the Miss Tourism Queen Intl pageant

2009-08-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

More of Ayesha Gilani in the Miss Tourism Queen Intenational 2009

2009-08-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

Ayesha Gilani at the Miss Tourism Queen Int 2009 pageant

2009-08-24T23:53:00.001-07:00

Miss Tourism candidate from Pakistan, Ayesha Gilani takes a tour around Tusicheng, China

2009-08-16T01:54:00.001-07:00

Miss Tourism candidate from Pakistan takes a tour around Tusicheng, a folk culture zone of Enshi City in central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 12, 2009.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-08/13/content_8566098_7.htm

Miss Pakistan World 2009, Ayesha Gilani compete in the 5th largest beauty pageant

2009-08-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

Standing 5 feet 7 inches, from Lahore, Pakistan finished her Masters in English from Washington DC, Ayesha Gilani competed in the world’s largest beauty pageant- Miss Tourism Queen International 2009. Just a month after a 10 day drilling Miss Pakistan World on the 27th of June in Toronto, Ayesha Gilani has flown over to Shanghai to compete with 81 beauties from around the world.

Miss Tourism Queen International was founded by Mr. Charlie See. Since 1949, there have been more than 80 countries occasionally holding this competition for their Miss Tourism National Queen. In 1993, the Miss Tourism Queen International Organization held the first world final competition in Sri Lanka, and later in USA, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and many other countries as well. Miss Tourism Queen International contests have been held in China for six years from 2004 to 2009.

With the mutual benefit between Miss Tourism Pageant and the Tourist City, this event attracts full support from different circles in the society, and the special involvement of the press and TV media. With around 250 press's coverage and over 50 TV media's broadcasting, Miss Tourism Queen International serves as an international platform for the involved regions, tourist cities, tourist products, and fashion and luxury goods.

Miss Pakistan World has sent delegates to over 20 international pageants in just under 7 years, winning various sub titles. Gilani, won the Miss Congeniality Award as well besides winning the pageant at the 7th Miss Pakistan World pageant that was held June 2009. Gilani will be the 4th representation for Pakistan since the pageant started 5 years ago.

Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World said, “It is very important to keep Pakistan’s pageant industry alive amongst all the turmoil Pakistan faces on a daily basis. We are dedicated to prolonging the pageant industry and keeping it as active as possible. With Ayesha Gilani going to international beauty pageants, this shows that we are still going head strong.”

When asked about how she feels representing Pakistan on such a large scale, Ayesha Gilani said, “ I am so honoured that I have got this title and am representing Pakistan, as it is today Pakistan needs a very moderate and liberal representation for the world to see. It is in my hands now to educate the 81 countries about my nation and remove stereotypes about Pakistanis. I will try my best and hopefully those 81 representatives can go further and change their little world about us in their respective countries. I am proud to be the 7th Miss Pakistan to step out and compete for an international representation for Pakistan. We are doing something different and hopefully whatever little I can do to contribute I will do so. Winning is not very important to me, but being there wearing my country’s sash is what I’m looking forward to.”

Miss Pakistan World’s Seventh Year

2009-07-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

Toronto, Canada - Miss Pakistan World 2009 took place in Mississauga on the 27th of June 2009. With contestants coming from Scotland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada, the 10 day pageant went well with the hustle and bustle of restaurants, photo sessions, video sessions, rehearsals and essay writing competitions.

The winners of the pageants were Ayesha Gilani from Washington DC, representing Lahore, Pakistan. The Runner up 1 is Yusra Mumtaz from Sugarland Texas, representing Karachi, Pakistan and Uzma Ali as Runner up 2 from Scotland representing Faisalabad, Pakistan.

The contestants went through a series of essay writing on Pakistani issues during the pageant, as well as singing the National Anthem of Pakistan, which were the prerequisites before entering the pageant. The contestants also learnt about the Founder of Pakistan- Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Monuments of Pakistan, the 4 Provinces of Pakistan, and the Kalash People of Pakistan.

An intense seminar of 8 hours was headed by image consultant and educational speaker Nyla Hasan which included self improvement, self confidence, dealing with the issues of the community and self improvement. The contestants had an amazing experience in Mississauga’s restaurants: Avani, Mandarin, The Host, Asian Garden, and many more.
Pageant Coordinator, Rania Iqbal and Pageant Choreographer Rodney Diverlus made sure the girls were well organized and the contestants were prepared for three dance number for the audience. The pageant started with the Black Evening Gown Opening Number on Pakistani singer Haroon’s Aashiqa and went on to the Pakistani Traditional Wear Round and finally the funky dance number on Ali Zafar’s Dekha Jo for the final evening gown dance! The stage lit up with the dance group called Adje, who performed on Pakistani songs by Faakhir, Jiya Na Jaye and Haroon’s Nahin Hai yeh Pyar. The final touch was by the Pakistani duo Asad Khan and Shoaib Khan, whose rising group Qissmet from Chicago made its first appearance in Toronto, Canada. Within a matter of minutes the crowd was singing Dil Dil Pakistan with Qissmet and enjoying the amazingly Pakistani atmosphere.

Former Miss Pakistan World 2004, Batool Cheema and Miss Pakistan World 2008 Natasha Paracha as well as the newly crowned Mrs. Pakistan World 2009 Sana Mushtaq were there to crown the runner ups and winner. The pageant ended well, with Ayesha Gilani winning the 7th title for Miss Pakistan World and who will now go on to represent Pakistan in international pageants.

Sonia Ahmed, the President of Miss Pakistan World and Mrs. Pakistan World carried on the pageant for 7 years and has sent the winners and runner ups to compete internationally in 21 beauty pageants around the world. An industry that never existed for Pakistan became alive in 2002 when the first Miss Pakistan pageant was announced. Pakistan’s entertainment industry has now seen 7 years of pageantry and Ahmed is hopeful that this industry picks up the support structure from around the world to make Pakistan the number one country in beauty pageants.

AYESHA GILANI - MISS PAKISTAN WORLD 2009

2009-07-15T10:13:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2009 Beauty Pageant

2009-07-07T20:51:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2009

2009-05-18T23:18:00.001-07:00

Natasha Paracha- Miss Pakistan World 2008 Master of Ceremonies- Shehzad Roy Concert

2009-05-09T14:37:00.001-07:00

Sonia Ahmed with Pooja Batra and Raghav

2009-04-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

Sonia Ahmed President of Miss Pakistan World with Shoaib Akhtar

2009-04-08T22:02:00.001-07:00

Sonia Ahmed President of Miss Pakistan World with Shoib Akhtar
Originally uploaded by cp_p04

Miss Pakistan World 2008 and Sonia Ahmed

2009-04-08T22:01:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2008 and Sonia Ahmed
Originally uploaded by cp_p04

Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World in Dubai

2009-04-08T22:00:00.001-07:00

Sonia Ahmed and Miss Pakistan World in Dubai
Originally uploaded by cp_p04

Sonia Ahmed with Sukshinder Shinda and Jazzy B

2009-04-05T10:35:00.001-07:00

Miss Pakistan World 2009

2009-04-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team- Statements of Miss Pakistan World 2008

2009-03-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

The attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team is the most tragic incident in Pakistani sports history. It is extremely disheartening as cricket has been one of Pakistan's most coveted sports.

A tragedy this shocking will effect the future of our country and impact the future of our youth. The government of Pakistan needs to take action and fully condemn this act of violence.

"What happened in Lahore is a tragedy. My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of all the victims. In cases of terrorism like this, we are all victims. Being Miss Pakistan World has given me a platform in the West to advocate for Pakistanis, especially Pakistani women. I'm here to show the West that Pakistan needs all the support and help to get rid of the middle eastern terrorists (Taliban) who are ruining my country."

Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008 at Chicago's first South Asian Wedding Expo

2009-03-01T12:51:00.001-08:00

Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008, was invited to Chicago's first South Asian Wedding Expo, "Dulhania Bazaar.". Here are a glimpse of Miss Pakistan World 2008 at the Fashion show.

Dulhania Bazaar Photos from Chicago contd

2009-02-26T02:57:00.001-08:00

Miss Pakistan World 2008, in Chicago

2009-02-26T02:45:00.000-08:00

Natasha Paracha at the first Dulhania Bazaar in Chicago, USA.

Miss Pakistan World lashes out at Taliban

2009-02-26T02:41:00.000-08:00

TORONTO: Denouncing the Sharia laws in Pakistan's Swat Valley as surrender before terrorists, Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha said Monday that the world should pressure Pakistan to stop implementation of rigid Islamic laws.

The 23-year-year-old Islamabad-born Paracha, who won the 2008 beauty pageant in Toronto last year, told IANS: "I cannot bear to see that the people who have burnt down schools are being heeded to.

"These nomads (the Taliban) coming from the Middle East and other countries are taking over our nation. I strongly urge the United Nations to intervene and help the Pakistani government tackle these forces and throw them out.

"The world has to put pressure on the Pakistani government to stop the Sharia Law enforcement."

She said: "The government should never compromise with terrorists. We cannot have basic rights taken away from women."

Paracha, who is a graduate of the University of California in Berkeley, said she feared that "if they have the Sharia Law imposed in the Swat Valley then, it will spread to the whole of Pakistan. Rigid Islamic laws are not a solution for Pakistan and Pakistanis".
She added: "Pakistan should be a secular Muslim nation and the constitution of Pakistan should be followed throughout the country."

Toronto-based Sonia Ahmed, who started the beauty pageant for Pakistani girls from around the world in 2002, said: "It is disappointing to see that President (Asif Ali) Zardari has proved himself wrong just in the first year. It is a shame that people who are not even Pakistanis (Taliban) are running Pakistan.

"In the 1970s, a similar situation occurred when the fanatics closed down casinos, cabarets and bars as well as enforced chadar or veil for women. I am sorry to say that Pakistan was much better during military rule as compared to this sorry state of democracy."
Calling the implementation of Sharia laws beginning of the downfall of Pakistan, she said: "This act of compromise by the Pakistani government clearly shows that it is a failed nation. Taliban has no place in Pakistan and the people of Pakistan should kick them out. They are invaders and barbaric people."

Blaming the Taliban for spoiling India-Pakistan relations, she said: "They were unhappy to see Pakistan and India in peace and had to do whatever they could to ruin the relations that were between the two countries.
"Instead of driving the Taliban out of the country, the government is allowing them to do as they please."
By his action, Sonia Ahmed added, President Zardari is paving the way for a military coup. "In just one year, Pakistanis are fed up with his actions and false promises."

Kick out Taliban nomads: Miss Pakistan World

2009-02-26T02:40:00.000-08:00

TORONTO: Denouncing the Sharia laws in Pakistan's Swat Valley as surrender before terrorists, Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha said Monday that
the world should pressure Pakistan to stop implementation of rigid Islamic laws.

The 23-year-year-old Islamabad-born Paracha, who won the 2008 beauty pageant in Toronto last year, told IANS: "I cannot bear to see that the people who have burnt down schools are being heeded to. "These nomads (the Taliban) coming from the Middle East and other countries are taking over our nation. I strongly urge the United Nations to intervene and help the Pakistani government tackle these forces and throw them out. "The world has to put pressure on the Pakistani government to stop the Sharia Law enforcement."

She said: "The government should never compromise with terrorists. We cannot have basic rights taken away from women." Paracha, who is a graduate of the University of California in Berkeley, said she feared that "if they have the Sharia Law imposed in the Swat Valley then, it will spread to the whole of Pakistan. Rigid Islamic laws are not a solution for Pakistan and Pakistanis". She added: "Pakistan should be a secular Muslim nation and the constitution of Pakistan should be followed throughout the country."

Toronto-based Sonia Ahmed, who started the beauty pageant for Pakistani girls from around the world in 2002, said: "It is disappointing to see that President (Asif Ali) Zardari has proved himself wrong just in the first year. It is a shame that people who are not even Pakistanis (Taliban) are running Pakistan. "In the 1970s, a similar situation occurred when the fanatics closed down casinos, cabarets and bars as well as enforced chadar or veil for women. I am sorry to say that Pakistan was much better during military rule as compared to this sorry state of democracy." Calling the implementation of Sharia laws beginning of the downfall of Pakistan, she said: "This act of compromise by the Pakistani government clearly shows that it is a failed nation. Taliban has no place in Pakistan and the people of Pakistan should kick them out. They are invaders and barbaric people."

Blaming the Taliban for spoiling India-Pakistan relations, she said: "They were unhappy to see Pakistan and India in peace and had to do whatever they could to ruin the relations that were between the two countries. "Instead of driving the Taliban out of the country, the government is allowing them to do as they please." By his action, Sonia Ahmed added, President Zardari is paving the way for a military coup. "In just one year, Pakistanis are fed up with his actions and false promises."

International Beauty Pageants vs Miss Pakistan World

2009-01-30T23:25:00.001-08:00

I always want to see my contestants go further to international pageants. The push is always there from my side as well as the company's importance increases with every contendor going to an international pageant. So to the girls who like to join, I would always encourage you all to think big and out of the box. International pageants is when Pakistan competes internationally with 100-120 countries. You as a contestant will compete locally with delegates coming from the UK, USA and Canada, but its an aphrodisiac-al feeling to be a part of the world on such a global level. That is the best time of a Miss Pakistan or a runner up's life.

So I salute the Miss Pakistan World's and winners who have made it there.

Love and Regards- International Beauty Pageants vs Miss Pakistan World President Miss Pakistan World

ABC Good Morning America Interview Shoots, with Miss Pakistan World 2008 Natasha Paracha

2009-01-29T01:07:00.001-08:00

Pakistani Newspapers a big NO NO

2009-01-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

Pakistani Newspapers a big NO NO by Sonia Ahmed, President

You know, I keep on hearing news about Miss Pakistan World in various Pakistani Local Newspapers in US and Canada. I hear it from friends and families who follow me and the news of the pageant.

Let me be very clear: I have fought with 100% of Pakistani Newspaper editors as they have a very crewd old fashioned dancing girl mujra sort of a mentality so, any news that comes in any Pakistani newspaper is not officially from me or the company. I dont like the way they speak, the way they converse, they have no respect for women. And there may be good Pakistani newspapers out there, but I will never take the risk of allowing them into my show unless or until I know that they will not harm my event in defamation.

These are men who are pissed off as the pageant opens its doors to Indian Media as well as Mainstream Media but not them (because of their pathetic mentality). We do not allow the old school Punjabi village mentality to enter this pageant. And I will strongly repeat myself here: Any news that comes in any Pakistani newspaper is not officially from me or the company. So hence, until or unless the Pakistani Media comes to age, they will not be allowed to cover the pageant. And yes mainstream media and the Indian media is always invited.

So to all those who get involved with the pageant, do not listen to them, as they are most probably doing it because I don't let them into the circle of this pageant. A lot of jibberish has been printed by them, thinking that once again they can demoralize us. Because if I do then my event becomes a place for such men with such low calibre to just come and have some cheap pendoo fun. With cheap pendoo fun, I mean these men whistling or passing comments, which is not tolerated in the Miss Pakistan World event, as then they are escorted by security harshly and then they hold a grudge. So my advise: Listen to reliable news outlets like CNN, New York Post, ABC, Fox etc not any Urdu or Pakistani Newspapers, as most of them are run by fanatics or hypocrites.

And finally a message to the Pakistani newspapers, do as much as you like, write the crapiest thing about me and this company, but it will not make any difference as we don't need you people to survive. Trust me on that!

To President Musharraf with love

2009-01-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

To President Musharraf with love by Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World

Truely speaking I was very dishearted that this great man resigned, but today I feel that it was the best thing he did, as he left the oppositions to argue and bicker amongst themseleves. He opened the gates for the entertainment industry and I am very glad he did that. Atleast today my contestants have a pool of Pakistani songs to perform on.

I had an encounter with a journalist named Majeed Babar who works for the New York Times, and when the controversy of President Musharraf arose, Baber called me and said that it would have been better that I would have used Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman name instead. Imagine that! Well, I answered that love is blind and especially with a handsome man like Musharraf. Some agree and some may disagree. Its like me finding Shoaib Akhtar (Shobi) cute, some may agree and some may not!

I never do enjoy controversies especially when its about my winners, but I will have to admit here that President Musharraf's controversy was the most important thing for me. As I used to shiver every time a journalist called me. Because my only fear was, "What if he took out a statement saying something mean?" Thank God that did not happen, as he took it like a polished man. I used to come up with excuses and reasons to explain to him in my imagination how the media took it out of our control and blah..blah. But I'm happy that I did not need to explain it to anyone. During the statements that were taken out by Miss Pakistan 2007, I had an interview with Business Plus TV Pakistan in Islamabad, and they told me that they had sent a special request to the President House to watch the live interview. You cannot imagine, how scary the whole thing was. When they asked Miss Pakistan World 2007 what she would like to convey to the President, she answered."I Love you, I Love You and I Love you!" Secretary to the President, then gave a sweet and short answer saying, "The President is amused." That's when I literally broke into a Bhangra Dance. It was like we were waiting for an approval and he in a way approved us.

I am so happy that he (President Musharraf ) is here in the USA and is travelling. I wish him luck and also wanted to say, that he is the best President Pakistan ever saw.

by Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear

2009-01-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear by Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World and Mrs. Pakistan World

We have been in the media recently and it seems that every time any media reports about us people always seem to not know about Miss Pakistan World. Its been 7 years and media giants like BBC, CNN, New York Times, Toronto Star, Khaleej Times, Times of India, Aaj Tak News, Headlines Today, GEO TV, Business Plus TV, Aaj Tv from Pakistan have reported on us consistently. The list goes on. For the confused, my only suggestion is to go online and type in Google, "Miss Pakistan," or "Miss Pakistan World," or "Natasha Paracha." Its that simple!

I agree that we are not on the news everyday like the President or Prime Minister of Pakistan, but every year there are times that we are there. Some of the blogs that I have read, state that they never heard of a Miss Pakistan ever. Its funny how those people who never hear, think that just because they don't hear about it means that the world too does not know anything about Miss Pakistan World.

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear, I say that because not only is there a group of people who don't want to see Pakistan succeed in any thing like beauty pageants, fashion, sports, acting, arts, etc but there are those other groups, who run around saying that everything is haram. Eating is haram, sleeping is haram, going to the bathroom is haram, sitting is haram and so on. Then there are the so called feminists like Amna Buttar-head who just say things to say it. Amna Buttar-head is a feminist who says that parading in bikinis is not right and that all the women in this world should now start fighting for basic rights like right to get married etc. Amna Buttar-head, my dear female speicies, we do not have a bikini round in Miss Pakistan World. Did you even research about Miss Pakistan World? Do you even know what Miss Pakistan is all about? Why is your mind running towards an imagination of Pakistani girls in bikinis marching towards you? Oh I get it, you're that kind of a feminist.... Sorry about that! Thats fine, it's fine to be gay and proud! But atleast clear it for us!

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear, as there was once a controversy about Mahleej Sarkari claiming that she loves Musharraf. Well, she loves him for what he did for the country. Thats her opinion and I could not understand why people or Pakistani media did not leave the issue. I remember that time very clearly where we got a call from AAJ TAK News Channel asking for an interview and we gladly accepted it, and the anchor asked Mahleej upright, if she loves Musharraf and is attracted to him. If she had said no, would that be a better image or a better headline. Humm.. lets see, Miss Pakistan hates the President of Pakistan, Miss Pakistan dislikes President, Miss Pakistan opposes her own President, Miss Pakistan does not find Pakistani men attractive, etc and one can go on and one. Now if any one looks at President Musharraf and if one looks into the history of how even Indian stars like Aishwariya Rai and Rani Mukherjee said great things about him, then WHY NOT PAKISTANI STARS? I don't see anything wrong with what happened, and I am still very proud of the fact that a Pakistani Beauty Queen was strong and said it out loud and clear that President Musharraf was a good looking classy man. And thank God that it was never a Zardari or a Nawaz Sharif..my opinion but unclassy.

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear, as then came the episode of Nadia Khan Show. Geo TV, the Nation Demoralizer is what I call it, others call it something else. Now Nadia Khan Show was a show people watch and when I got a call from them, my first thought was,"Wow Pakistani Media is changing, they are now understanding the art of media." Boy was I wrong... Dubai was great and Nadia Khan was badly beaten and brusied by words ofcourse by myself, Sonia Ahmed. Her first question in a very sweet girly way was, "Why Canada, since its Miss Pakistan" and my sweet girly reply was, "Why Dubai, since its a Pakistani talk show?" Trust me we have made jokes on this subject as she (Nadia Khan) took a break, sipped her water, and said to me, "You can speak really well." My reply, "You are lucky I have my allergies but I can do better." And that was it.. She could not do anything but then when they fail they have to take the other unethical way to show us down and what she did was talk about us for 3 days, 3 hours non-stop and guess what WITHOUT US. And then lied that we were detained at the airport. First of all Nadia Khan jee, we travel all around the world more than you will ever in your lifetime, (please to the readers, just look under international pageants and events on the Miss Pakistan World website). And we know international rules and standards very well. The real story was the GEO TV dropped us late and we missed our flight and they came 12 hours late to pick us up and take us to the hotel and then rebook our ticket. Thats it.

Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear, I say that now as well, because look at what happened with Natasha Paracha. This very intelligent girl was interviewed on CNN and yes I agree there was a slip of tongue, where she said that Pakistan and India must condone these attacks. She should have used the word "Condemn." But guys mistakes happen, don't they! This is a 23 year old girl, graduated and now starting her life as well as working for the United Nations. But ofcourse we had India pumping with rage for no reason, even though they knew that this lovely girl meant only good. Indians just wanted a reason to put Pakistan down and they did that through news and media. But I was ashamed of a few Pakistanis like Pakistani blogger Kamil Yousuf who left no brick unturned in trying to say whatever he could to show this girl down and what happened, the Indian media had headlines such as this, " Pakistanis are poking fun at their own beauty queen." So yes, Miss Pakistan isn't the easiest crown to wear as we have brainless people like this Pakistani blogger Kamil Yousuf saying things to demoralize his own people. Could he not be glad that no Bollywood or no other celebrities were interviewed by CNN and this chance was given to Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008.

No I guess not, as I will always see the Glass Half Full unlike empty vessels like Amna Buttar, Pakistani blogger Kamil Yousuf and Nadia Khan and the rest of the people who fall into their category who will always see the GLASS HALF EMPTY. I sometimes question: Can't us Pakistanis be proud together... Can we ever celebrate the success of another fellow Pakistani?

I adore the girls who have stood their grounds and made sure that they were brave and took down people like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph. And I am very proud of myself to shut Nadia Khan up on her own talk show. This is a personal victory for me as all plans to destable us as a company went down the drain for her and we left proud and accomplished ethically.

My suggestion for those lonely people, whose hobbies invovle sitting and staring at the walls and who then claim that they are not aware of Miss Pakistan or Miss Pakistan World or Sonia Ahmed or Natasha Paracha, my advise, learn to use google. Here is the google site: http://www.google.com/ and for those who are computer savvy then http://www.misspakistanworld.com/

By: Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World

Nosheen Idrees, runner up 3 of Miss Pakistan World, represented Pakistan in Beijing, China for Miss Asia International 2008.

2009-01-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Nosheen Idrees represents Pakistan in Miss Asia International 2008

2009-01-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

Nosheen Idrees, runner up 3 of Miss Pakistan World, represented Pakistan in Beijing, China for Miss Asia International 2008. The participation was an official one from Pakistan and this was the second time Pakistan got represented in the Asian beauty pageant. Nosheen Idrees hailing from Jhelum Pakistan stated that she was well received by the Chinese delegation and it was a wonderful experience for her. The organizing committee took all contestants to The Great Wall of China, along with other scenic places and landmarks like The Forbidden City in Beijing. The contestants were residing at the Jiuhu Hotel (5 star, international) in Beijing which is well known for servicing the 2008 Olympics in August 2008.

A student of communications at the University of Sheffield, Nosheen hopes to bring back a title that can put Pakistan as a country that has the most beautiful women in the world. In her own words, Nosheen says, "Pakistan is a country where the most beautiful women exist and it’s a shame that it’s not recognized for it." Nosheen is set to change the perception of how the world looks at Pakistan and hopefully she says that she may be able to spread the message of peace for her country and be a great ambassador for the youth. Nosheen also stated that the hospitality of the host country China was amazing and that she would love to go back for a visit some day.

Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World stated, “We are honored that Pakistan got involved in the Asian pageant as we have done International pageants as well as European pageants but it was wonderful to be in competition with Asian countries as well. Pakistan is still growing in the beauty pageant industry and in a short span of under 6 years Pakistan has got involved with many international pageants. Nosheen Idrees is an exceptional candidate who has represented Pakistan on both local and international levels in the beauty pageant industry.”

The Miss Pakistan World will be crowning its new queen in June 2009 and selections of contestants are being made at the moment. With the completion of 5 international pageants this year, 2009 seems to be a promising year for the Miss Pakistan World beauty pageant.

Miss Pakistan World Doll

2008-12-24T02:06:00.000-08:00

Pakistan May Not Be Ready for Its Beauty Queen

2008-12-19T20:27:00.000-08:00

Times Topics: Susan Dominus

If you live in the East Village, you may have seen the reigning Miss Pakistan coming out of her walk-up not far from St. Marks Place. You may have glimpsed her celebrating her victory with some friends at the Hudson Hotel, or entering one of the jazz clubs where she likes to hear live music.

Every once in a while, you can catch Miss Pakistan, Natasha Paracha, 24, hopping out of a cab in her rhinestone tiara, fresh from an appearance. “Give me that tiara!” a young man with his boyfriend called out to her on such an occasion a few weeks ago. “I want it!” She flashed them a megawatt smile but kept the tiara, which she normally stashes in a floral-patterned box in her closet.
On the one hand, it seems only natural that Miss Pakistan should live in downtown Manhattan, a place where celebrity seems to be its own form of local citizenry. On the other hand, it makes no sense at all. You could say a lot about the glamorous internationalism of, say, Shanghai, and yet there’s no chance that you’d catch the reigning Miss America taking up residence there, limiting herself to an audience of expatriates.

The Miss Pakistan pageant, now in its sixth year, is unique as these things go. None of this year’s 12 contestants, to start, reside in Pakistan, but hail instead from the United States, Canada and England. (The full title reflects that international flavor: Miss Pakistan World.) And the contestants do not compete for the crown in Lahore or Islamabad, but in Mississauga, Ontario. Pakistan, apparently, is not yet ready for a beauty pageant, although why that is depends on whom you ask.
“It’s still a new country, and pageantry is a new concept there,” said Ms. Paracha, chic in a Nanette Lepore dress, sipping an espresso at the Blue Water Grill. “The entertainment industry is just developing.”

Ms. Paracha, who works at the United Nations and has lived in the United States since age 2, allowed that there might be some backlash in Pakistan, a conservative Muslim state, if one of its representatives were to compete internationally in a bikini. Indeed, Amna Buttar, a founder of the Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights, who lives in Lahore, pointed out that there is currently a scandal brewing in Pakistan over a leak of photographs of the daughter of the governor of Punjab swimming in a bikini.

“In Pakistan, we are trying to get basic rights for women: right to marry, right to divorce, equal opportunity for job and education, and issues like Miss Pakistan create problems for this movement,” Ms. Buttar said in an e-mail message. “An average Pakistani young woman does not want to wear a bikini in public, and for her it is important to have equal opportunity and all focus should be on that, and not on a pageant where only the elite can participate.”
The founder of the pageant, a Toronto entrepreneur named Sonia Ahmed, said that she had been making plans to take the pageant to Pakistan as soon as next year until the fall of President Pervez Musharraf, whose government was considered relatively open to the advancement of women — which in Pakistan, at least, meant the conditions were relatively favorable for aspiring beauty queens. Now, she is keeping the pageant in Canada because she cannot guarantee the security of contestants.

“It may only be like 1 percent of the total population, but the fundamentalist problem is still present in Pakistan,” Ms. Ahmed said.

Since she was crowned in May, Ms. Paracha, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, has limited her appearances to the United States, speaking at a gathering of nonresident Pakistanis in New York, showing up at a Pakistan Day celebration in Washington, raising money for Vision of Development, a nonprofit agency that she started in high school to support rural Pakistani women, and making the occasional media appearance.

This month, she went on CNN to urge her country to stand up and condemn the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, except that she accidentally used the word condone. Fortunately, it was clear from the context what she meant, and no international incidents ensued. (Slip of the tongue or not, her comments were an improvement on those of a previous Miss Pakistan: calling President Musharraf a “hunk” she’d like to date.)

So Ms. Paracha is a beauty queen, unlike most others in some important regards, and a lot like them in others: a comely ambassador for her country who’s eager to avoid controversy, promote her country and be a good role model for young women (she’s also an accomplished flamenco dancer). She told CNN she’d like “to show that Pakistani women are strong and we can definitely do a lot to represent the nation on a global sphere.”

It may sound like yet another blandishment, but given what Ms. Ahmed had to say, Ms. Paracha, who is traveling to Islamabad on Saturday to see her family and, she hopes, make press appearances, may be making more of a political statement than she would care to admit in taking on that particular crown.

In future global competitions, Ms. Paracha, an observant Muslim, says yes, she’d be willing to wear a bikini (there was no bathing suit event in this year’s Miss Pakistan competition, though there has been twice since 2002). “It’s just one small aspect of the pageant,” she said. Because both Miss World and Miss Universe require that their competitors be crowned in the country they represent, Ms. Paracha is ineligible for those competitions. But Miss Tourism Queen International — watch out!
E-mail: susan.dominus@nytimes.com

Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008 new Shoot

2008-12-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

Miss Pakistan World 2008 - Natasha Paracha

2008-12-15T20:18:00.001-08:00

Miss Pakistan World 2008 on Mumbai Blasts

2008-12-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

Dec 07, 2008 – "The recent tragedy in Mumbai was the work of misguided individuals who do not represent a specific religion, creed or nationality," said Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha. "The fact these young men may have links to Pakistan is in no way indicative of the culture and caliber of people that represent Pakistan. It is my hope the world views this tragedy with those thoughts in mind as we all mourn for the victims and their families." Paracha, only the sixth woman in the history of her country to be named Miss Pakistan World when she won that honor earlier this year, also serves as the Chairperson of Pakistani Affairs with the International Renewable Energy Organization at the United Nations. Miss Paracha is a 2005 graduate of the University of California at Berkeley earning a degree in Political Science and Business Administration. While in college she also founded the Pakistani Students Association.

Besides her work at the United Nations, Miss Paracha has created a non-profit foundation, Vision of Development, in which the goal is to reach out to the poverty stricken regions in Pakistan.

"My intention as Miss Pakistan World is to raise awareness and help the world understand the plight of my fellow countrymen," said Paracha. "I'm interested in dispelling misperceptions of the country of Pakistan, as well as aid in the empowerment of women in my country. The role of women in Pakistan is one of the most misunderstood notions in the world today." Paracha's involvement in renewable energy and alternatives has lead her to forming the non-profit organizaton which is dedicated to clean water initiatives in the Middle East, Haiti, Libya and Brazil. Q&A with Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha:

Q: What are your thoughts on the recent tragedy in Mumbai?

NP: The tragedy in Mumbai has left us all in shock. It is difficult to understand that such violent acts are taking place in metropolitan regions. First, the attacks that were carried out at Marriott in Islamabad and now this. It is important for the world to recognize that the individuals who carried out the attacks do not represent any religion, creed or nationality. I have family and friends that live close to the Taj and Oberoi and my heart goes out to all those innocent people involved.

Q: What is the most misunderstood aspect about Pakistani women and the role they play in that society:

NP: In history, there definitely has been a misconception in the Western world that Pakistani women come in second compared to their male counterparts. However, women in Pakistan have played a major role in politics and activism. Pakistan is the first country in the Muslim world to see a female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan also has seen great female leaders in the arts, legal arena and work force.

Q: You are involved in a non-profit energy initiative. What do you hope to accomplish?

NP: I work for the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization at the United Nations. IREO is an intergovernmental organization that works to promote the use of affordable, clean sources of renewable energy worldwide. It strives to make alternative renewable energy sources a key component to eradicate the current depletion of our environment by the use of fossil fuels that has led to our climate change and the energy crisis we are now facing. IREO strives to achieve global energy security, and bridge the energy divide with a special priority for the Developing and Least Developed countries in the world.

Q: What are your future plans?

NP: I would love to represent Pakistan in international pageant in April, but for now my future plans as Miss Pakistan World include promoting the rich culture and traditions of Pakistan, empowering women in rural regions of the country through various NGO work, and promoting the necessity of literacy among children in Pakistan.

A conversation with the Queen of Pakistan - Tahira Iqbal

2008-12-07T11:38:00.001-08:00

Tahira Iqbal, 22 reached Germany on the 3rd of December 2008. Greeted at the airport, Tahira made her way with the Chaperons to the hotel. Her roommate Queen of Serbia 2008, met her.

It was a pleasure speaking to Tahira (Rani) her nickname, on the phone. She started with her usual "Hiya there, Are you okay?" accent and seemed a bit in a rush. As usual Tahira with her politeness told me that she would love to talk but had to go for a photoshoot and a television interview. She breifly told me that an international pageant is nothing like the Miss Pakistan World pageant as the contestants are very aloof and don't mingle that much. I smiled at her as I did let her know of it in advance. She also mentioned that the schedule has been hectic and that her roommate Miss Serbia (Queen of Serbia) does not speak a word of English, another thing I warned her about.

Well, I wished her good luck and as usual it gave me great joy and happiness, that yet another girl saw the daylights of an international pageant for Pakistan.

I will be updating more news as I converse with the Queen of Pakistan herself, Miss Tahira Iqbal.

Here comes Queen of Pakistan 2008, Tahira Iqbal.

2008-12-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

Queen of the World 2008 will be held - Dec. 13th 2008 at Pardorama Concress-Center at an altitude of 3000 meters, in Ischgl, Austria. Never before in pageants history was an international beauty contest held on top of a mountain. Ischgl is not only known as the ultimate hotspot for winter sports - enthusiasts, but as well for its Top-Events, extraordinary High-Life, celebrities and much more. Therefore it is no surprise that the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun is continuously voted among the best skiing areas in the Alps. As Ischgl boasts a huge area of fabulous (235 km) as well as latest it became the hotspot for skiers and boarders during the last decades and guarantees snow from the end of November until the beginning of May. In the middle of December, Ischgl becomes even more attractive: During the QUEEN OF THE WORLD pageant, Ischgl is for the second time searching the world’s most beautiful woman. Iqbal a model and studying in London, United Kingdom believes that she is making her mark in Europe as Miss Pakistan. She also stated that without her parent’s support she would not be where she is.

Iqbal said that Pakistani girls need a lot of support in the pageant industry and parents must play an important role in encouraging them. Iqbal hails from Lahore, Pakistan and is excited that this pageant will mark Pakistan’s 20th international pageant in just under 7 years. Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World said, “This year end of 2008 will prove that Pakistan is going strong in beauty pageants. The support for the Miss Pakistan World pageant is ever growing and the Pakistani people are getting more interested in knowing who these ambassadors are and as to what they do to represent Pakistan on an international scale worldwide. Our goal is to get Pakistan on the heights of recognition in pageantry and one day we will achieve that. As for now, we wish Tahira Iqbal best of luck in the Queen of the World competition in Germany.”

Pakistan represented well at the Miss Earth 2008 pageant

2008-11-25T13:39:00.001-08:00

Two weeks later and Nosheen Idrees, Miss Pakistan Earth 2008 is raving about her wonderful experience at the world’s largest pageant, Miss Earth which took place in Manila, Philippines. Her group number was three which consisted of contestants from other countries who then became very close at heart to her. Lucky for Idrees, she celebrated her 22nd birthday at the Miss Earth pageant with all the contestants and officials surprising and singing for her.

The reviews done by pageant gurus on Miss Pakistan Earth were amazing where OPMB quoted that she was a strong candidate as well as knowledge on environmental issues. Others on the forum said that she may be the dark horse in the end and would surprise the audiences. A lot of photographs were taken of Miss Pakistan and Miss Israel by media and Pakistani pageant officials. Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World stated that this was precisely to show that Pakistan and Israel are getting along in events like Miss Earth and that more work should be done by politicians to improve relations with countries like Israel and India.

Idrees made sure that the 21 days that she spent in Manila with about 90 countries was spent in educating other countries about today's Pakistan and its culture. In the end this entire experience was a pleasant one. Sonia Ahmed, President of Miss Pakistan World said, “This is Pakistan’s 7th year in pageantry and even though Pakistan has a long way to go, we have made up for at least 50 years that were lost in the past due to fanatical viewpoints. The only thing left to do is to go forward.”

Miss Pakistan Earth 2008- Nosheen Idrees, photos of Miss Earth 2008 pageant

2008-11-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

Miss Pakistan Earth 2008- Nosheen Idrees, Miss Earth pictures 2008

2008-11-21T23:26:00.000-08:00

Miss Pakistan Earth 2008- Nosheen Idrees, exclusive pics

2008-11-21T23:11:00.001-08:00

Glimpses of Nosheen Idrees representing Pakistan in Miss Earth 2008

2008-11-02T22:29:00.000-08:00