Karachi's Erica Robin becomes first Miss Universe Pakistan, conservatives target her

Five contestants, including Erica, 24, a Pakistani Christian girl, were chosen as finalists from among 200 applicants for the grand finale.

In the run-up to the contest, the five finalists had also done a photo shoot titled ‘The Power in Modesty’, reports Geo News.

“I am honoured and humbled to be the first ever Miss Universe Pakistan and I want to highlight the beauty of Pakistan," Robin was quoted as saying by Geo News upon winning the Miss Universe Pakistan title.

The Miss Universe Pakistan contest is a franchise owned by the Dubai-based Yugen Group.

The group also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt.

However, the beauty pageant and Erica Robin's victory have triggered controversy as several conservatives have criticised the event.

Religious scholar Taqi Usmani was among the first to take offence, insisting that the government take notice and proceed against those responsible for the pageant. He also demanded that the impression that these women were “representing Pakistan” should be dispelled, reports Dawn News.

Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan — who was also one of the voices critical of the film Joyland when it was released in Pakistan —tweeted that preparing for and competing in such pageants was “shameful” for Pakistan.

Journalist Ansar Abbasi also raised a similar gripe, asking which government functionary had approved sending Pakistani women to participate in the beauty pageant, the newspaper reported.