Misbah Iqbal, Pakistan's first married title holder

Misbah Iqbal (Urdu: مصبح اقبال ) was crowned the first ever Mrs. Pakistan World, marking the first time in history that a married woman would represent Pakistan in international competition. Although met with some controversy, Iqbal went on to compete in Mrs. World 2007 and made way for married Pakistan women to gain an international voice on a global scale.
Her successes will always be noted as a shift in Pakistan's history, and the pageant's creator, Sonia Ahmed pioneered the movement five years prior with the birth of its sister pageant, Miss Pakistan World.
Misbah Iqbal is currently a certified medical assistant and is studying for her Associate's Degree in Science. A mother of 3 (twin girls Lina and Liya and son Ahyan), Iqbal has made a great difference in the progression of Pakistani women.

About her Mrs. World entry:
"My husband is so proud of me and so excited for me. (He) also helped me prepare for the pageant by encouraging me at every step. My in-laws as well as my parents are very excited and they talk with pride about my participation in the Mrs. World Pageant." Although her children are too young to completely grasp the magnitude of her title, "my children know that mommy is going somewhere..."

When asked about the reaction from the Pakistani community, Iqbal insists that she has only received support and blessings. However, she is aware of those who discourage Pakistani girls from entering pageants or participating in the entertainment industry, and she simply chooses to ignore the discouragement. She advises other women to "fight these people and proceed forward in representing Pakistan internationally."

On Women's Issues and the future of Pakistan:
She wholeheartedly believes that the approach to marriage is becoming more progressive in Pakistan. "The stress of arranged marriages is weakening and couples are starting to experiment with each other to see if they match well. There are boyfriends and girlfriends who are now open with their relationships, but it is progressing to where it is comfortable with both men and women."

She feels that Pakistani women need to support one another, especially married women. "Pakistani women need a lot of support. Pakistan is changing. We want to support each other." Iqbal is also passionate and outspoken about women's issues in Pakistan. She hopes that Pakistani women will eventually become independent and have the freedom to choose their own paths. "I would like to see more Pakistani women pursue their education as much as they can, as it helps in all aspects of life. I'd also like for more Pakistani women to think for themselves, especially on issues of marriage."