Puerto Rico: Miss Universe Pakistan Misbah Arshad has begun her journey to Puerto Rico ahead of the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant, expressing pride in representing her country on the international stage. As contestants from across the world prepare for the competition, Arshad shared an emotional message on social media, describing the opportunity as the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
The contestant announced her departure through Instagram, where she reflected on the responsibility of representing Pakistan and the personal journey that brought her to the global beauty pageant. In her message, she said that she wanted to remain grateful for the opportunity and remember the significance of the moment.
“I’m about to embark on the journey I always dreamt of. Today, I only want to remind myself to be grateful. I want to wake up every morning and be so happy and grateful for being exactly where I always wanted to be and was meant to be. For the next few days, I’m not going to be only Misbah, I will be called Pakistan,” she wrote.
Her statement highlighted the emotional connection between her identity and the country she is set to represent. Emphasising her pride in her nationality, she added, “Pakistan, you are already united within me.”
Misbah Arshad speaks about representing Pakistan
Arshad’s message focused not only on the international competition but also on her background and the experiences that have shaped her. She spoke about coming from a village and how her roots have influenced her journey as a woman.
For the contestant, representing Pakistan at Miss Universe is an opportunity to take her personal story to an international audience. She described herself as someone who has spent much of her life building connections between different cultures.
“I’m so proud to be doing what I’ve been doing my whole life: being a bridge between cultures. And this time, I’m about to build a bridge between Pakistan and Puerto Rico,” she wrote.
Her remarks reflected the cultural dimension she hopes to bring to the competition. Miss Universe provides contestants with an international platform where they represent their respective countries through their personal stories, public appearances and participation in pageant activities.
Arshad also shared a photograph in which she posed with Pakistan’s national flag. For her departure, she wore a custom outfit created by designer Patrik Henry Mergano. Highlighting the cultural significance of her attire, she wrote, “Let’s start this journey, draped in Pakistani fabric.”
The outfit and the accompanying message underlined her intention to carry elements of Pakistani identity with her as she travels to the host country.
India’s Kaziah Liz Mejo also begins her Miss Universe journey
Arshad’s departure comes a day after Miss Universe India 2026 Kaziah Liz Mejo announced that she had started her journey to Puerto Rico.
Mejo shared photographs from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where she posed with her luggage and team before travelling for the international competition. Wearing a maroon saree and displaying her Miss Universe India crown, she marked the beginning of her campaign with a message about the responsibility of representing the country.
“A queen carries more than a crown; she carries the dreams and hopes of a nation,” she wrote.
The 19-year-old law student from Kerala has a notable distinction in the national pageant’s history. She is the first titleholder from the state to represent India at Miss Universe.
Her participation has brought attention to Kerala’s representation at the international event. As she prepares to compete against contestants from different countries, Mejo will carry the expectations associated with representing India at one of the world’s most recognised beauty pageants.
The journeys of both Mejo and Arshad have also drawn attention to the national significance attached to international pageant participation. While each contestant will compete individually, their public appearances and messages reflect the countries they represent.
Miss Universe 2026 to mark its 75th edition
The 2026 competition will be a milestone edition of the Miss Universe pageant, marking its 75th year. Puerto Rico is hosting the event, with the grand finale scheduled for November 24, 2026, at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.
The international competition is expected to feature approximately 130 countries and territories. Contestants will take part in pageant activities before the final event, where the winner will be selected.
The 75th edition is also expected to welcome four new participants: the Republic of the Congo, Saint Martin, South Sudan and Uganda. Their debut will expand the range of countries represented on the global platform.
The Miss Universe Organization, which operates the annual competition, is based in Thailand and Mexico. Over the years, the pageant has developed into an international event that brings together contestants from different cultural and national backgrounds.
For participating countries, the competition offers an opportunity to showcase their representatives before a worldwide audience. Contestants are also expected to communicate their individual experiences, cultural identities and perspectives during the event.
A global platform for cultural representation
For Misbah Arshad, the journey to Puerto Rico carries a meaning that goes beyond competing for the Miss Universe crown. Her remarks about her village roots and her ambition to build a cultural connection between Pakistan and Puerto Rico indicate the importance she attaches to representation.
Her statement, “Pakistan, you are already united within me,” captures the sentiment she wants to carry into the competition. By choosing an outfit made by Patrik Henry Mergano and posing with the national flag, she has also placed cultural identity at the centre of her departure message.
India’s Kaziah Liz Mejo has similarly highlighted the responsibility of representing a nation, describing the crown as a symbol of the hopes and dreams of its people.
With approximately 130 countries expected to participate, the 75th Miss Universe edition will bring together contestants with varied backgrounds and stories. The grand finale on November 24 will determine the winner, but the journey to Puerto Rico has already begun for representatives such as Arshad and Mejo.
For both contestants, the coming days will offer an opportunity to introduce their countries and personal journeys to an international audience.