Arfa Karim Randhawa

Arfa Karim Randhawa (February 1995 to January 2012), the youngest Microsoft certified professional left the world at the 16 years of his age. She received the title of Microsoft Certified Professional MCP in 2004 at the age of 9 and she kept this title till 2008.

Arfa became the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional after demonstrating proficiency with the company's software and was invited to headquarters in Redmond, Washington by Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft. In August 2005, Pakistan's prime minister at the time presented her with the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology. Arfa is also the recipient of the President's Award for Pride of Performance and is also the youngest recipient ever of that award. She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award again in August 2005 by the President of Pakistan. In recognition of her achievement Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company's 3G Wireless Broadband service named EVO in January 2010. Arfa Karim has also represented Pakistan on various international forums, she was invited by the IT Professionals of Dubai for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. Amazingly, she was certified for flying a plane at a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10.

Karim was the girl wise beyond her age and a truly inspiration for the teens and youngsters. Arfa also had interest in poetry and was very much fond of Hamd and Naat. No doubt the Karim was a blessed child and a precious gift from Allah to her parents and Pakistani land too. She had done a great work for her nation and made her country proud by doing such an adventurous works in her little age.

Arfa was studying in her second year of A-levels and went into a coma on December 22 after suffering an epileptic attack. She was undergoing medical treatment in Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Karim, who was on life support at the Intensive Care Unit at the CMH, suffered a complication on Saturday evening whereby she was shifted to the emergency ward and lost her breath in life and death race. Her death is a real loss to our land.

Arfa Karim was a genius who had left an indelible mark on the international IT scene, winning millions of hearts in Pakistan and abroad for her excellence. The death of the child sensation had left millions of people, along with her family, relatives and friends, grieved over this national tragedy.

Bill Gates Message On Arfa Karim Death

"Today is the black day of my life and same for Pakistan because I lost my princess colleague and Pakistan lost her Pakistani."

Bill Gates.

An IT center named Software Technology Park in Lahore is now renamed after Arfa’s death on January 15, 2012 and now it is named Arfa Karim Technology Park. In Karachi, an IT media center has also been dedicated to Arfa Karim and now it would be known as Arfa Karim IT media city project. No doubt this is absolutely a right decision to remember her as she has done a proud work in the IT field and she must be remembered. These kind of excellent and positive decisions should be made to all those who have done extraordinary works for their country.

Arfa, our dear child have always made us proud and her name and all that she have achieved in her young and beautiful life, will continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for us.

Arfa, shall always remain in our thoughts and our prayers.

Arfa Karim: 1995-2012. May Allah have mercy on her soul. Ameen.