Misbah Arshad, Miss Universe Pakistan 2026, has begun her journey to Puerto Rico for the 75th Miss Universe pageant, sharing an emotional farewell message in which she said that for the next few days she will not be only Misbah — she will be called Pakistan. The grand finale is scheduled for 24 November 2026 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, where she will compete against representatives from around the world.
“For the next few days, I will be called Pakistan”
Ahead of her departure, Misbah took to Instagram to reflect on the journey she is about to begin and what carrying Pakistan’s name on a global stage means to her.
“I’m about to embark on the journey I always dreamt of,” she wrote, describing the moment as the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. Her message then turned to the weight of representation: “For the next few days, I’m not going to be only Misbah, I will be called Pakistan.”
She followed it with another line that quickly caught the attention of her followers: “Pakistan, you are already united within me.” The words framed her participation as something larger than a personal achievement — a celebration of belonging, culture and national identity on a world stage.
Draped in Pakistani fabric
Misbah also made a visual statement before leaving. In the photographs accompanying her Instagram post, she posed with Pakistan’s national flag while wearing a custom outfit designed by Patrik Henry Mergano.
“Let’s start this journey, draped in Pakistani fabric,” she wrote alongside the pictures. The combination of the flag and the custom ensemble underlined her intention to carry elements of Pakistan’s identity into the international spotlight — and it highlighted the role clothing and design can play in cultural storytelling at events where contestants represent different traditions.
From village roots to the world stage
One of the central themes of Misbah’s farewell message was her connection to the village she comes from. Rather than distancing herself from her origins as she steps onto an international stage, she placed them at the centre of her story, crediting her background with shaping her personality, her values and her understanding of the world.
Born in Lahore and previously based in Islamabad, Misbah now lives in Munich, where she studied psychology at the University of Hagen. That journey — from a Pakistani village background to a global stage via Europe — is one she has spoken about as a strength, not a detail to leave behind.
“I’m so proud to be doing what I’ve been doing my whole life: being a bridge between cultures,” she wrote, adding that the trip would let her build another connection, this time between Pakistan and Puerto Rico.
A seasoned campaigner, not a newcomer
This is not Misbah’s first time representing Pakistan internationally. She previously competed at Miss Aura International 2023, Miss International 2023 in Japan and Miss Supranational 2024, giving her more big-stage experience than most first-time Miss Universe contestants.
She was crowned Miss Universe Pakistan 2026 on 19 August 2026 at a ceremony in the Philippines, becoming the fourth Pakistani woman to hold the title. She succeeded Roma Riaz and received her sash from franchise owner Josh Yugen, whose Yugen Group of Dubai runs the Miss Universe Pakistan franchise.
Ahead of the competition she trained in Manila with the House of Yugen, alongside Egypt’s Sonia Gergis and Sweden’s Josefin Strand, as part of an intensive preparation programme for the three national titleholders.
Pakistani performers have had a strong run on international stages this month — actor Waleed Akhtar won a $35,000 theatre award after initially thinking the notification email was a phishing scam — and Misbah’s campaign adds a pageant stage to that list.
The contest ahead in San Juan
The 75th edition of Miss Universe will bring together contestants from around the world in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the grand finale planned for 24 November 2026 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
Around 130 countries and territories are expected to take part. The Republic of the Congo, Saint Martin, South Sudan and Uganda are among the entrants reported to be making their debuts, although final participation numbers and line-ups can still change before the event.
The coming days will bring arrivals, preliminary rounds and the national costume presentation before the final stages decide the next Miss Universe titleholder.
India sends Kaziah Liz Mejo too
Misbah is not the only South Asian representative drawing attention ahead of the pageant. India’s Kaziah Liz Mejo has also begun her journey to Puerto Rico, sharing photographs from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
The 19-year-old law student from Kerala appeared in a maroon saree, wearing her Miss Universe India crown. She is reported to be the first titleholder from Kerala to represent India at Miss Universe, after winning the Miss Universe India 2026 title in Jaipur on 23 August.
“A queen carries more than a crown; she carries the dreams and hopes of a nation,” Kaziah wrote on Instagram. Like Misbah, she has framed the competition as a chance to carry her national identity onto an international platform.
What to watch next
For now, all eyes are on the arrivals in San Juan and the first photographs and appearances from the contestants as the pageant programme gets under way. The national costume round and the preliminary competition will be the first real tests of how Misbah’s campaign is landing with judges and audiences.
At home, meanwhile, showbiz audiences are following the Bigg Boss 20 house closely — but the Miss Universe stage is the one carrying Pakistan’s flag this month. Whether Misbah can take Pakistan into the final stages for the first time will be decided on 24 November.
Sources: Hunterfly and Wikipedia.
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