Miss Pakistan World’s Seventh Year

Miss Pakistan World’s Seventh Year

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.

I was born ready’ - Khaleej Times

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 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 Earth 2009

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

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Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

Ayesha Gilani - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009

Miss Pakistan World - Fighting Who?

Miss Pakistan World - Fighting Who? 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."

A message from Miss Pakistan World 2009- Ayesha Gilani

A message from Miss Pakistan World 2009- Ayesha Gilani

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

Miss Pakistan and Miss Israel

Miss Pakistan and Miss Israel

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

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

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

Beauty of the World pageant

Beauty of the World pageant

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.

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

Beauty of the World pageant - Miss Pakistan World

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.

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

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

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.

Miss PakistanWorld 2009-AyeshaGilani now Beauty                                                                                    of Asia 2010, wears a T-shirt which has President                                                                                          Musharrafs slogan Pakistan First

Its eight years for the Miss Pakistan World pageant

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.

Pakistan represented well at the Miss Earth 2008 pageant

Pakistan represented well at the Miss Earth 2008 pageant

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 World - The company

Miss Pakistan World - The company

Miss Pakistan World

In 2002, a need for greater promotions and availability for Pakistani women to join the world of beauty was answered with the creation of Miss Pakistan World. Ideally, the pageant would be held in the represented country of Pakistan, but religious agenda does not allow for such contests to be held there as of yet. The creation of the pageant began in Canada due to the multicultural ideals found in Canada. Through perseverance and international success, Miss Pakistan World has since become recognized internationally and spans the globe in search for Pakistan’s next international beauty.

Creator, Sonia Ahmed saw the lack of exposure and opportunity for young Pakistani women and decided to take her own successes in the beauty and business industry and develop a platform for Pakistani girls from all over the world to showcase their beauty, intellect and love for the entertainment world. The Pakistani-born socialite, now living in Toronto, Ontario, has been met with criticism but has shown the true strength in women by bringing home 6 international titles in 5 years of competition.

Still expanding, MPW has worked with Miss Earth, Miss Tourism Queen International, and Queen of the World, Miss Tourism, Miss Globe and other global pageants. Their readiness to join forces with Miss Universe and Miss World is stalled by the pageant’s inability to be held on Pakistani soil. This is an initiative that Ahmed and her team hope to make happen in the future. Until then, MPW continues to be a major player in almost every other international pageant.
In 2006, MPW furthered their initiatives with the creation of its sister pageant, Mrs. Pakistan World – a pageant for married Pakistani women. The first woman to wear the crown, Misbah Iqbal went on to compete in Mrs. World 2007. This marked the first time in history that a married Muslim woman competed in an international pageant.

MPW continues to work hard to achieve a greater understanding as well as a strong platform for all women of Pakistani descent and to afford them a voice on the international stage. The 6th annual pageant will take place on May 23rd, 2008 at the Versailles Convention Center near Toronto. To the delight of all involved in the pageant, and especially its creator, the successes of MPW have begun to meet all expectations and ambition.

The MPW Mission

Miss Pakistan World’s mission is to find positive, energetic role models who will represent and inspire Pakistani youth within their community, as well as internationally. Miss Pakistan World works to allow Pakistani women from around the world the opportunities to showcase their beauty, talents, and richness of culture both locally and on an international scale. The pageant is open to all women born in Pakistan to apply and embraces the diversity found within their country’s heritage.

International Success

In 2005, Miss Pakistan World 2005, Naomi Zaman took home two international titles. The first at Miss Tourism Queen International 2005, as Best in Talent and Miss Disco: Girl of the Year. The following year, Miss Pakistan World 2006, Sehr Mahmood took home the title of Queen of Elegance at the European pageant Queen of the World. Meanwhile, Miss Pakistan World’s 3rd Runner Up, Mariyah Moten won Miss Charity at Miss Tourism Queen International as well as Best in Media at the Miss Bikini International pageant held in China in 2006. The past year showed Miss Pakistan World 2007’s 2nd Runner Up, Nida Khan bring home 2nd Runner Up at the Miss Internet World pageant.

Here lies proof that these young women have what it takes to be a strong force in the international pageant world. Miss Pakistan World is clearly destined for greatness.
Information on the pageant can be found: Miss Pakistan World –

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