Today marks the 14th death anniversary of Arfa Karim Randhawa, the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and one of Pakistan’s brightest IT prodigies.
Born on February 2, 1995, in a small village near Faisalabad, Arfa Karim made history in 2004 at the age of just nine by becoming the youngest person to earn the Microsoft Certified Professional certification. Her exceptional talent drew global attention, and at the age of ten, she was invited by Microsoft founder Bill Gates to visit the company’s headquarters in the United States.
Throughout her life, Arfa Karim received numerous awards and international recognition for her contributions to the field of Information Technology. In 2005, she was honored with the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in Science and Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan.
She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award that same year. Her achievements earned her the prestigious Pride of Performance award, and today, a well-equipped software technology park in Lahore stands in her name, serving as a lasting tribute to her legacy.
Arfa Karim passed away on January 14, 2012, in Lahore at the young age of sixteen following an epileptic attack. Her pioneering spirit continues to inspire generations of young innovators and tech enthusiasts in Pakistan and around the world.
