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KARACHI: Islamabad-based venture capitalist-turned-model Noor Jarmina is set to represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November, with her main goal being to bring about change in her country, especially on issues like women's safety and climate. change

Born in Islamabad and living abroad for over 10 years, Jarmina left her career as a venture capitalist to join a drama school in London and then returned to Pakistan in 2023 to pursue a career in acting and modeling.

After shooting with several top brands in Pakistan, she submitted an application for the Miss Universe Pakistan 2024 pageant and was one of the 21 shortlisted candidates to win the pageant in the Maldives on July 20. The competition was organized by Dubai. It is based on the Yugen Group, which owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt.

In the coming weeks and months, Jarmina will put all her energy into training for the 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in Mexico for the first time since 2007.

So as the 29-year-old heads to Mexico for the final competition, she says she wants to be an “agent of positive change” for her country.

“[If I win the Miss Universe 2024 title]I want to very soon start implementing some of the ideas I have for women's safety in Pakistan and fighting climate change,” Jarmina, who studied biology and business, told Arab News in an interview this week. “So, I want to immediately look at some of these social causes that I have spoken.”

Women's safety and climate change are both major challenges, with Pakistan consistently ranked among the most dangerous countries for women's exposure and thousands of incidents of violence against women every year, from rape and acid attacks to sexual assault, kidnapping and so-called “honor killings.”

The South Asian nation with a population of 240 million is also the nation most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

“There are so many issues that women face in Pakistan and there are very few voices that can really translate them on the global stage,” said Jarmina, who is the second Pakistani woman to win the Miss Universe Pakistan title after Erica Robin in 2023. .

“So, I hope to lean into those issues, listen to them and do my best to translate them correctly to the rest of the world.”

It was “sad”, the model and actor said, that it took “so long” for Pakistani women to participate in major beauty pageants.

“Not only do we have beautiful women, we have very talented, talented, smart, outspoken women in leadership. The world has a very different perception of who we are, what we do and what we can do,” she said.

“So, I feel really excited to show everyone what we are capable of. It's a very big responsibility that I won't take lightly. And I hope I can do my best and make Pakistan proud.

“Cultural Sensitivity”

Last year, Karachi-based model Erica Robin was chosen as Miss Universe Pakistan out of five finalists at the pageant in the Maldives, sparking outrage in Pakistan. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party called it “shameful”, while the then caretaker prime minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakkar also ordered an inquiry. There was also an online chat saying that Robin had brought shame to Pakistan and its Muslim values ​​and called on the government to condemn the Miss Universe pageant altogether.

However, as Robyn took to the Miss Universe stage in El Salvador as Pakistan's first contestant, she wrote on her Instagram that she felt “blessed” to have had the opportunity to meet and bond with nearly 90 amazing representatives of a woman from Pakistan. A champion of equality, purpose and sisterhood around the world. .

Jarmina agreed with Robin that participating in global pageants like Miss Universe provided an opportunity to present Pakistan in a better light.

“Changing the impression [of the country] It boils down to small talk [and] A personal interaction, whether it's a conversation I have with a representative from Mexico or the U.S.,” she explained.

“I hope they can see that Pakistan has a very rich culture that is really focused on respect, and love, passion, and unity. And so, I hope to resonate with that and leave a lasting impression.

Jarmina also said it was important to take part in the program given her country's “cultural sensitivities”.

“I've had a very international upbringing, so I'm comfortable wearing a lot of things. But I fully understand that Pakistan has a cultural sensibility. And I want to respect that, of course. I want to wear clothes that everyone in Pakistan would be proud to see me wear.” ,” said the Miss Universe hopeful.

Jarmina, who has worked in UK, US, South Africa, Romania, UAE, Singapore, Canada and Portugal, is now excited to do a modeling and acting project in Pakistan, she said:

“A lot of people think they should leave [Pakistan] And I felt like I was going backwards. But coming back to Pakistan was the best decision I ever made… Pakistan's entertainment industry is in very new stages. It is evolving. The type of stories we tell on screen is also maturing. It is the most exciting time to be an actor in Pakistan.”

Asked if she wanted to send a message to the world, given the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine and elsewhere, Jarmina added:

“Given the right opportunities, I will always advocate for peace. I don't think anyone believes that innocent lives have been lost in a political situation. So, I will always advocate for it and I hope that there is the same energy that I received.”