Who Gets to Represent Pakistan?
The question “Who gets to represent Pakistan?” has resurfaced after Roma Riaz stepped onto the Miss Universe stage. Instead of celebrating her achievement, much of the conversation fixated on her colour and weight, raising the deeper issue of how we define representation in Pakistan.
Beyond Colour and Weight A Mirror to Our Beauty Standards
When Roma Riaz, a British-Pakistani contestant, appeared at Miss Universe Thailand, critics ignored her nationality and focused solely on her appearance. This reaction highlights a long-standing obsession with fairness, thinness, and Eurocentric ideals still deeply rooted in Pakistani society.
The Reality of Pakistani Diversity
Pakistanis come in countless shades, shapes, and sizes — yet our screens show only one type. Fair-skinned, petite actresses dominate media, reinforcing a narrow definition of beauty that excludes most of the population.
Roma Riaz Deserved Better
Despite unnecessary scrutiny, Riaz carried herself with dignity. Constructive feedback could have helped, but the discourse quickly devolved into body-shaming and colourism. Her presence on a global stage should have been a moment of pride, not prejudice.
Redefining Who Represents Us
Roma Riaz’s experience forces us to confront the biases we refuse to acknowledge. If Pakistan truly wants diverse representation, we must first recognize the beauty in our own people exactly as they are.
