TORONTO: Toronto-based Mahleej Sarkari, crowned Miss Pakistan World in 2007, created quite a stir when she called Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf "a hunk". The beauty now adds that she finds him "sexy" and would actually love to go for long "romantic" walks with him.
"Musharraf is charismatic, sexy, strong as well as cute! My fantasy would be to go on long walks on a beach in a cool breeze where I could have a romantic time with him," Mahleej said in an interview here.
Asked why she was such a huge fan of his, the 25-year-old entrpreneur said that the former general had "pulled the country out of crises" and had the "guts to change Pakistan".
She also felt he "fought corruption, fundamentalists and tried to stamp out the narrow-minded culture of Pakistan... He tried hard to promote good ties between India and Pakistan. He made history by getting the first Sikh guard for Mazar-e-Quaid, the tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He brought women back into politics".
Mahleej, who says she is "very patriotic", is also of the view that "Pakistan can realize it dream through the right person, and it is no one else than Musharraf".
She firmly believes that the day will come when her country will be rid of extremist forces.
"My country is a beautiful country and I believe that one day, it will be free of radical people who have hurt our generation."
Excerpts from the interview:
What made you call the Pakistani president a hunk?
Musharraf is charismatic, sexy, strong as well as cute! My fantasy would be to go on long walks on a beach in a cool breeze where I could have a romantic time with him.
It may be very hard for people to believe but this is what I truly want. It would be an honour and privilege for me to get that opportunity to be with Musharraf.
How I wish I could exchange places with his wife and be his forever. This is my true confession.
What does this love mean?
My love means my allegiance to him.
Why Musharraf?
When he entered the United Nations after 9/11, and made that speech, I got goose bumps. He was so strong, so charismatic, and so serious and each and every country was looking to him to make that one final decision. It was that time that I fell in love with him.
So that is what made you his fan?
He pulled the country out of crisis, fought corruption, fundamentalists and tried to stamp out the narrow-minded culture of Pakistan. He had the guts to change Pakistan. He tried hard to promote good ties between India and Pakistan.
He made history by getting the first Sikh guard for Mazar-e-Quaid, the tomb of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He brought women back into politics. He gave life to the entertainment industry of Pakistan. I salute Musharraf for doing all this.
My country is a beautiful country and I believe that one day, it will be free of radical people who have hurt our generation. Musharraf is the force behind eradicating these extremists and making Pakistan a safer place to live.
How would Musharraf's wife feel?
I am pretty sure she understands her husband is the greatest Pakistani man alive, who has a huge fan base. And I consider myself his biggest fan. I would still respect her sentiments and I would hope that she wouldn't mind.
And how would Musharraf feel?
I don't know of his reaction. I wish he could say that he would give me a chance. But I guess being at his position and where he is today, I don't know if he would even have the time to know about this.
He is sexy, and he is a hunk and he is adorable and charming. It is through my eyes that I can see all these qualities. And there may be many fans of his, but I consider myself as his biggest fan.
Were you born in Pakistan?
I was born in Balochistan and lived in Karachi as well. I moved to Canada about six years ago. I will be 25-years-old in August. I have studied business, ran my own spa with my aunt in Toronto for a few years. Now I am concentrating on my career in modelling, acting and pageantry. I won the Miss Pakistan World 2007 and was also declared Miss Congeniality 2007.
I had a wonderful time this year as I travelled to many places and was invited to many events. I competed in Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 and won the Miss Disco runners-up title.
I am very patriotic. My political views are very obvious - pro-Musharraf. I also liked Benazir Bhutto as she was a strong woman, but I think Nawaz Sharif should go back to where he belongs - Saudi Arabia. I think Pakistan can realise its dream through the right person, and it is no one else than Musharraf.
What has been your family's reaction?
My mother has always supported me in all my decisions. Some family members were not too fond of the idea, but now they too are proud of me. I think this idea just needs time to sink into people's minds that Miss Pakistan World is actually all about patriotism, confidence and competition.
Pakistani middle class families feel that it may not be right for their children to get exposed to such stardom as it can divert their attention from studies. But I am a graduate in business and have now started my own business. I would like to prove to the community that we can balance all aspects of life.