Tribute to Arfa Karim

I have had the opportunity witness and, at times, be part of the highlights in the past 13 years that I have been working with Pakistani IT Industry. Nothing beats the high of watching the world recognize a local company or an individual. And nothing matches the high, the sheer rush of seeing a young Pakistani make it big in the world before they enter their teens.

Same admiration and love I have shared with the Shafquat sisters, Afsah and Afrah Shafquat when they excelled in their fields and now keep in touch from MIT; the same admiration and respect was shared for young Arfa Karim, the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional.

Many years ago, when I was still doing television, I had chanced to meet young Arfa and her father when they were visiting Karachi for an Expo at the time. In fact, I had invited Arfa and her father to meet me during a breakfast with the then Managing Director for Oracle, Samina Rizwan. I still remember her father’s words, “I want to give my daughter everything to make her be successful in life.” What a beautiful mind that child had developed. And what an incredibly supportive father she had been blessed with. I kept in touch with the young girl as I often do with so many other people over the years, but those thoughts remained with me throughout the years. I still recall having a followup phone chat with Ms. Rizwan commenting on how strong this child was.

I don’t think I really know a celebrity quite like her. I can’t imagine anyone in the world who isn’t aware of the young girl from Pakistan who met with Bill Gates and asked him some tough questions. She was the pride and joy of the Microsoft  Pakistan team. It certainly wouldn’t be an exaggeration that she was the pride and joy for many of us common folk. Our children and those younger than us, after all, are the generation that will determine what our future will be because they are the future. The sparkle we see in their eyes when they strive to make us proud, is awesome.

There is something so fragile about life that we take for granted. I can’t imagine what her father is going through nor what her friends and admirers around the world are thinking right now. I can only pray that her family have the strength to bear with this tragedy. I can only pray that she is in a better place, one with no more pain and no more uncertainty.

Arfa, my dear child. You have always made us proud and your name and all that you have achieved in your young and beautiful life, will continue to be a source of pride and inspiration. You shall always remain in our thoughts and our prayers.

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