Arfa Karim Randhawa, the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from Pakistan, has left for heavenly abode. May God rest her soul in peace! After almost two weeks of her death, our political leaders, including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, found time to go to Arfa’s house to pay condolences to her parents. The government has announced a commemorative postal stamp in memory of Arfa. PM Gilani has said that the government was considering awarding late Arfa the highest civilian award.
All this is nothing but an eyewash. These statements are nothing more than adding insult to injury of Arfa’s parents. Where were these politicians when Arfa was struggling for her life in a hospital and that Bill Gates had to come to her rescue? Pakistan has a history of awarding recognition to its heroes after their deaths.
Geniuses like Arfa are born in centuries and don’t need commemorative stamps and civilian awards for recognition. Arfa was a star that will keep shining in the sky and the world will watch and remember her. Bill Gates rightly said: “Today is the black day of my life and same for Pakistan because I lost my princess colleague and Pakistan lost her Pakistani.”
We salute you, Arfa.
M RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi