Pakistan’s ‘shameful’ first Miss Universe contestant

BBC News:

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party called it “shameful”. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar even ordered an investigation. Online chatter amongst Pakistani men in particular has been scathing.

But what is sparking such outrage?

A 24-year-old woman.

Erica Robin, a Christian from the city of Karachi, is going to represent deeply conservative Pakistan at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Ms Robin was chosen as Miss Universe Pakistan from among five finalists at a competition held in the Maldives.

It was organised by Dubai-based Yugen Group, which also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt. It said the Miss Universe Pakistan competition had received an “overwhelming” number of applications.

The Miss Universe finals will be held in El Salvador in November.