Misbah Arshad has been crowned Miss Universe Pakistan following a closely contested selection process, becoming the fourth Pakistani to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in the Philippines, where Arshad received her sash from Miss Universe Pakistan franchise owner Josh Yugen. She was crowned by her predecessor, Roma Riaz, with the organisation later sharing footage of the ceremony on social media.
Arshad’s final response during the selection process played a key role in her victory. Asked by Philippine musician and actor Bailey May who would pose the more difficult question if she were placed in a room with her 10-year-old and 80-year-old selves, Arshad chose her younger self.
She said her 10-year-old self would ask how life had turned out. Arshad said she would explain that she had faced failures at several points in life but continued to rise after each setback.
Describing life as a cycle, she said people should not only accept its challenges but also learn to enjoy the journey, adding that greater challenges can ultimately lead to greater strength.
Arshad, a psychology student, has previous experience in international pageants. She represented Pakistan at the Miss International 2023 competition in Japan and competed at Miss Supranational 2024 in Poland.
She will now represent Pakistan at the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico.
Following her victory, Arshad said failure does not determine whether a person is a winner, stressing that maintaining hope, continuing to work hard and improving with every step are what matter.
She also described the journey to the crown as the “true prize”, saying the experience had brought valuable lessons and introduced her to people who supported her along the way.
Arshad also explained the significance of the outfit she wore for her coronation. Her white gown, featuring a crystal-encrusted bodice, was designed by Vietnamese designer Nguyễn Tiến Truyển.
According to Arshad, the white colour symbolised hope and served as a reminder to continue believing in one’s dreams, while the royal blue crystals represented education and knowledge gained through continuous learning.
