Pakistan is set to make its official debut at the Miss World pageant for the first time in its 73-year history. Twenty-four-year-old Anniqa Jamal Iqbal, also known as Anniqa Meraj, has been crowned Miss World Pakistan 2026 in Lahore and will represent the country at the 75th anniversary edition of the Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
Pakistan To Make First Official Miss World Appearance
The development is being seen as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s history of international beauty pageants. Until now, Pakistan had never sent an official representative to the Miss World competition. With Anniqa’s selection, the country is set to mark its first-ever official participation in the global pageant. Her participation has attracted attention as beauty pageants and modelling events have often remained controversial in Pakistan. Conservative and religious groups have frequently opposed such competitions.
Who Is Anniqa Jamal?
Anniqa Jamal, a 24-year-old business and economics graduate from Lahore, has experience representing Pakistan at several international beauty competitions. She previously represented Pakistan at events including Miss Earth, Miss Global, Miss Cosmo, Miss Eco International, and Miss Aura International.
Anniqa is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting and auditing. She has also won four titles at the Miss Freedom of the World competition held in Kosovo. Anniqa said she wants to use the Miss World platform for more than just a beauty competition. She aims to raise awareness about thalassemia patients in Pakistan and work towards strengthening support for people affected by the condition. She believes that international platforms can become a powerful medium for social change.
Organisation Calls It A Historic Moment
The Miss Pakistan World Organisation, established in 2002, has been working to prepare Pakistani women for international beauty competitions. The organisation has trained participants for various global pageants over the years, and Anniqa’s selection marks the first official entry from Pakistan into Miss World. Miss Pakistan World Organisation chief Sonia Ahmed described Pakistan’s participation in Miss World as a historic moment for the country.
She said the achievement was not only about a beauty competition but also about national representation on a global platform. According to her, Pakistani women have consistently demonstrated their talent and capabilities at international events, and this milestone represents a new chapter in that journey.
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