Former Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz has spoken out against an online harassment campaign targeting her during the ongoing Miss Universe Pakistan 2026 selection process, saying that “no crown is worth hatred.”
Riaz, who is serving as one of the judges for this year’s competition, shared a detailed statement on Instagram after receiving abusive comments and threats from supporters of one of the finalists. According to her, the campaign included personal attacks, attempts to discredit her role as a judge, and messages threatening to make her life “miserable.”
In her statement, Riaz stressed that genuine leadership is reflected in respect, integrity and fair competition rather than intimidation. She said that no contestant or supporter should resort to harassment to gain an advantage, adding that bullying has no place in any competition.
The former beauty queen also warned that continued online abuse would result in legal action, stating that those responsible for threats and harassment would be held accountable. She tagged the Punjab Police and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in her post while highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
Riaz reaffirmed that all judging decisions are based solely on the official Miss Universe criteria and would not be influenced by online pressure or campaigns. She said she remained committed to representing Pakistan with dignity, fairness and professionalism.
Addressing young women aspiring to participate in such competitions, Riaz encouraged them not to believe that bullying is a necessary part of success. She urged contestants to support one another instead of spreading hatred.
The controversy also affected another judge, Miss Universe Egypt Deputy Director Kosh Himal Hewage, who faced criticism from some social media users over his scoring.
Meanwhile, Josh Yugen, owner of the Miss Universe Pakistan franchise, publicly backed Roma Riaz, praising her integrity and stating that true leadership is measured by kindness, respect and fairness, even during difficult circumstances.