Sonia Ahmed (Urdu: سونیا احمد) (born 23 August 1980) as Sonia Iqbal Ahmed, is a Kuwait-born Canadian Pakistani and founder of Miss Canada Pakistan Inc., now known as Miss Pakistan World, Mr. Pakistan World and Mrs. Pakistan World that were first held in 2002 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2021, she established the Miss Trans Pakistan pageant. Biography Sonia Ahmed was born in Kuwait to Arain Punjabi father from Lahore, Punjab and mother is from Karachi, Sindhi. She spent her childhood in Kuwait and did her high school and university in Ottawa, Canada. Ahmed is a certified accountant. She views herself as a progressive working to liberate Pakistani women and showcase the beauty and talent of the new Pakistani generation. Career Pakistan's Pageant Industry In 2002, Ahmed created a beauty pageant called Miss Canada Pakistan and changed its name to Miss Pakistan World in 2006. She created Mrs. Pakistan World in 2007, for married women of Pakistani descent. She created Mr Pakistan World in 2011, and moved the event to New Jersey, USA in 2014. In 2020, Ahmed, brought the pageant to Lahore, Pakistan where the first Miss Pakistan World was crowned on the soil of Pakistan, Areej Chaudhary. After, alomost 20 years of holding the pageant in the USA and Canada, girls from the soil of Pakistan were being accepted. On May 25, 2021, during the pandemic, Ahmed created the first Miss Trans Pakistan for trans women of Pakistani descent and the first trans girl to be crowned was Shyraa Roy. Entering Film Work In 2014, Ahmed filmed her first documentary, "I Shall Dance," under her production company, Touchgate Global Inc., which was released in September 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Filmography Controversies Ahmed faced opposition on her holding the pageant from some conservative sections of the community. However the opposition soon ended. In August 2010, Ahmed was criticized for going ahead with the 8th annual Miss Pakistan World during the month of Ramadan and while Pakistan faced a humanitarian crisis due to widespread flooding. See also Miss Pakistan World Mrs. Pakistan World References External links ANI Interview Official Sonia Ahmed Site Toronto Star Article 1980 births Living people Businesspeople from Karachi Businesspeople from Ottawa Businesspeople from Toronto Canadian businesspeople of Pakistani descent Canadian people of Pakistani descent Canadian people of Punjabi descent Pakistani expatriates in Kuwait Pakistani Sunni Muslims Pakistani women Punjabi people Punjabi women University of Ottawa