ARFA KARIM came, she did and she conquered. When everything was down in Pakistan, she stood and illuminated the national scene with her brilliance.

Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft, changed his opinion about Pakistan altogether after meeting with Arfa. Arfa Karim got the honor of Worlds Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional when she was only 9 years old in 2004. Bill Gates invited her to visit the Microsoft Headquarters in the USA in the age of 10 only. He was so much impressed by Arfa that he immediately directed his HR to hire from Pakistan in bulk, and he never regretted that decision.

After her recognition by the West, she was honoured with Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology which she received from then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. She was also honoured with the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award in 2005 which has been set up by Pakistans only Nobel laureate Dr Abdul Salam. Besides, Arfa won the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance.

She was a certified pilot, was equally adept in Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle products. She could present complex technical concept with flowing ease. She was the mentor of hundreds of people, and was particularly interested in finishing up digital divide within her own country. She always wanted to remain Pakistan. She didnt like the brain drain and wanted to bring those brains back.

Can we fulfil her dream, as she is no more alive? Arfa Karim remained at ICU I CMH after suffering an epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest a few weeks ago. After battling for life for 26 days, she left us thinking, tearful, and with the gift of believing in ourselves.

Muskan Hina @TPS

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