Pakistani pageant titleholder Anniqa Meraj will lead Pakistan’s Miss World debut when the 2026 festival opens in Vietnam on August 9, the organisation announced.
Miss World confirmed on its website and Instagram on July 16 that Meraj had been crowned Miss World Pakistan 2026. The 75th Anniversary Edition of the Miss World Festival will run from August 9 to September 5.
Meraj received the national crown at Faletti’s Hotel in Lahore, Pakistan. Dr Shafaq Akhtar, Miss Pakistan Universal 2022, was crowned during a ceremony attended by Attaullah Gujjar, Mr Pakistan World.
Miss World described the 24-year-old as a Business Administration and Economics graduate pursuing a master’s degree in auditing and accounting. The organisation said she plans to become a state-authorised public accountant while advocating for children’s rights and girls’ education.
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Meraj is identified in earlier pageant records as Anniqa Jamal Iqbal. Those records show she previously represented Pakistan at Miss Earth 2022 and Miss Eco International 2023 before entering other international competitions.
