Erica Robin poses for a photo after winning the Miss Universe Pakistan title.

The 24-year-old Erica won the title in a first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan event that featured five contestants from Pakistan and was organised by a Dubai-based company Yugen Group.

After winning the title, Erica will not be representing Pakistan at the global level in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador.

Seasoned journalist Mariana Baabar praised the 24-year-old, insisting that anyone can represent Pakistan.

"Pakistan belongs to all. Every Pakistani can represent anywhere, whenever, however. Ladies n Gentlemen, Karachi's Erica Robin was crowned the winner of the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan. Beauty and Brains!" said Mariana.

Pakistan's interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said that the country has not designated any non-state or non-government person or institution for such an event.

"The government and the state of Pakistan are represented by the state and government institutions. Our government has not designated any non-state and non-governmental person or institution for any such activity and no such person/institution can represent the state/government. The end," he said.

Erica maintains that she intends to bring to light the exquisite beauty that resides within Pakistan's rich culture and traditions, which she added are often concealed in the shadows of media attention.

Erica hails from Karachi. She did her schooling from St. Patrick Girls High School and started her professional modelling career in January 2020. She was featured on the pages of DIVA magazine and later became an assistant manager as Flow Magazine.

In December 2021, she flew off to Dubai. And it was Sept.14, 2023, when Erica won the Miss Universe Pakistan title at Brennia Kottefaru in Raa Atoll, Maldives.

Erica's next stop will be at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Nov.18, 2023.

It remains to be seen if Pakistan government would own up to Erica's representation of Pakistan or would keep its distance from her, maintaining Erica's achievement as her own and not of Pakistan.

 Indo-Asian News Service