LAHORE: Model and actress Diya Ali is all set to participate in the ‘Model of the Year’ contest in Dubai.

In an interview with Dawn, Diya said around 50 countries were participating in the beauty contest that is scheduled to be held in March.

“In July, I shall also be participating in the Miss World contest, which will be held in Belgium,” she added.

Diya claims to be the only Pakistani to have been crowned ‘Miss Perpetual’ at the Miss Asia Pacific International 2016 contest held in the Philippines in November last year. She said she was making a lot of effort to clinch Model of the Year. Pakistani girls should come forward to represent their country on international fashion pageants to promote soft image of the country, she added.

Talking about her experience of participating in the Miss Asia Pacific International contest, Diya said it was very challenging. “For me, being the first Pakistani girl to have been selected as a contestant in the famous and oldest beauty pageant was a great achievement.”

She said beauty pageants were a big platform, as they provided an opportunity to empower women and instill confidence in them. They can create many more opportunities for a woman to discover one’s potential.

When asked what qualities a contestant for Miss Asia Pacific should possess, the model said they should be educated, confident women who should be fearless, compassionate and expressive.

She also claimed she had stepped into the film world by signing a project with Sohail-Sonia Productions that would be shot abroad as well as an Indian production under J Productions.

She further said she started off her entertainment career as a morning show host with ‘Good Morning Manchester’ on Manchester Digital TV.

Diya holds an MBA degree in marketing and has acted in TV dramas such as Bay Daro Dewar Ghar, Haya Ka Daman and Moor Mahal. One of her plays, Shehr-i-Naz, is currently on air.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2017