Naeem Kandwal
Success isn’t defined by age, class or gender, but by hard work, determination, and endurance. Throughout history and in modern times, women have played an important part in society. In fact, some of these highly influential women have surpassed their male equivalents. From powerful leaders to media moguls, women often have had to battle against far tougher offs than their male counterparts to get their respective positions of influence. Women today are blessed with many opportunities to explore their passions and make their mark. You can be a homemaker, lawyer, programmer, or astronaut. At the same time, though, as a woman, you can face unique challenges and barriers to getting what you want. Some hardworking women becomes a living example of success by overcoming social challenges. Sonia Ahmed is one of them. She is the president of Miss Pakistan. She is representing Pakistan throughout the world. She has proved with hard work, determination and bravery that nothing is impossible in the world. Sonia Ahmed belongs to Arain family from Faisalabad, Punjab Pakistan as well as her mother’s side is from Karachi Pakistan. She completed her bachelors in commerce from the University of Ottawa in Canada. She then began focusing on bringing beauty pageants for Pakistan in the year 2002 when there was no mention of Miss Pakistan in the world. 2003 was the year that marked the first Miss Pakistan World that was crowned under the organization of Touchgate Global Inc. (Canadian Company started by Sonia Ahmed). In 2007, Sonia launched the second beauty pageant for Pakistan for married women which is Mrs. Pakistan World. Then in 2011 she launched Mr. Pakistan World. And then in 2020 she launched a beauty pageant for women over 29 years old, who were single and not married. And recently in 2021 Sonia Ahmed has launched the first beauty pageant for transgender women. The first trans woman Shyraa Roy, was crowned in Lahore, Pakistan on the 25th of May 2021, by the former Miss Pakistan World 2020 Areej Chaudhary. When i asked about her career & achievements she said:“The future for beauty pageants in Pakistan is looking good because Pakistan has to surface in the world as one of the most beautiful people. The reason I started beauty pageants for Pakistan, was because I myself was very interested in becoming a Miss Pakistan, and during my time it was not possible because there was nobody that was actually focusing on bringing Pakistan on the International platform to be known as one of the most beautiful and confident people in the world. There were countries who were taking those titles away from us just because they were there first. I’ve always been a very patriotic Pakistani and I thought that this is exactly how I want Pakistan to be known, through beauty pageants.”She further said: “Women play a very important role in softening the image of Pakistan that has been ruined by the international media and some malicious media that has been done through enemy states. So beauty pageants were the best things that brought out Pakistan ‘s moderate image and changed the perception of Pakistan in the eyes of the Western society. Because living in Canada I was able to do much more through the media of the West.” When I asked about her future plans, she said: “My future plan is to make sure that one day Pakistan achieves the status of Miss Universe and Miss World and various other international pageant like Miss Earth and Miss International. Pakistan is a beautiful country, in fact it is the only country in Asia which has such a diverse mix of ethnicities and hence it makes us the most beautiful people in Asia. Alas, we are not known for our beauty and our uniqueness. We have cultures that bring in a lot of diversity. Our mixtures go as far as Europe to Africa to the Middle East to Persia as well as central Asia and of course the natives of Pakistan. These mixes make us the most beautiful people on this planet yet when it comes to recognizing that about us we fall far behind. My future dream is to produce good movies for Pakistan.” Undoubtedly, Sonia’s successful life is a beacon for young generation. When I asked, what message would you like to send to your followers, she said: “My message to all our followers is to always pray that we keep doing what we are doing and to all our supporters please do support us in what we do, as it is not an easy task representing Pakistan amongst 80-100 countries in various international beauty pageants. I also hope to get the support of more people in our ventures, so that we can excel in what we are doing.” Undoubtedly, Sonia Ahmed is a great example of women empowerment. Her extraordinary services to the nation are highly commendable. She is a real hero. Her life and achievements are a beacon for our young generation.
