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Arfa Karim passes away: Whiz kid loses battle for her life

Published: January 15, 2012

Aarifa had shown improvement over the past four days.

LAHORE: Arfa Karim, 16 years old, child prodigy, inspiration, youngest certified Microsoft Professional in the world and winner of the president’s Pride of Performance, breathed her last on Saturday night at the Combined Military Hospital in Lahore. 

The teenage genius suffered an attack on that which had given her recognition and made her a source of inspiration for young and old across the country – her brain. Arfa had an epileptic attack on December 22 and had been in a coma since, while well-wishers prayed and watched her progress closely.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Major Ahsan Randhawa, Arfa’s uncle, articulated the family’s grief as best as he could.  “We are grieving her loss but she was a strong child”, he said – adding “she was God’s gift to us and now she has returned to Him”.

Arfa is to be buried in her ancestral village, close to Faisalabad. She had always identified herself with her roots, and had said proudly once that although she came from a ‘low-profile’ family, she wanted to study all over the world and then come back to help the people in her village.

The child prodigy, who was on life support at the Intensive Care Unit while the nation watched with bated breath, suffered a complication on Saturday evening when she was shifted to the emergency room. Major Ahsan Randhawa said that a tracheotomy tube (tracheal tube entered into the trachea through a minor incision), which had been recently inserted to facilitate her breathing, resulted in bleeding in the throat. Previously the tracheal tube had been inserted via her mouth. She was immediately shifted to the operating theatre where Arfa lost her battle for life.

Major Ahsan Randhawa added that Arfa had been doing fine prior to the complication. ”She had no complication prior to the bleeding,” he said adding “everything just happened so suddenly”. Arfa was declared dead soon after.

“She wasn’t being operated for surgery, she had been shifted to emergency because of the bleeding,” he said.

Arfa’s funeral prayers will be offered at the Ayub stadium in Cantonment at 10 am on Sunday. Later, her body will be shifted to Faisalabad where another funeral prayer will be offered at D Ground in People’s Colony in Faisalabad at 2 pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.

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Reader Comments (229)

  • Aser
    Jan 15, 2012 - 1:29PM

    But her picture is still full of life .. may ALLAH gives place in heaven .. and gives patient to her parents . aameenRecommend

  • Aliya Khalid
    Jan 15, 2012 - 1:30PM

    Nature produces gems like Arifah once in centuries…Her genius combined with a noble soul is what made her priceless. She will be remembered and missed for centuries to come:(

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  • Shahbaz
    Jan 15, 2012 - 1:53PM

    It is a great loss for pakistan.Really we will miss her very much.She was a proud of the nation.May Allah grant her JANNAH ameen
    Miss you sister

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  • Furqan
    Jan 15, 2012 - 2:46PM

    We lost the greatest asset of Pakistan the Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional who left us on this day. Farewell to this Youngest Professional. I cant say another word in your tribute I can only say that you were great Arfah Kareem. RIP.

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  • Sane Voice
    Jan 15, 2012 - 3:05PM

    May Allah grant her family the strength to bear this loss and give Irfa an eternal place in Jannah. Ameen

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  • FJ
    Jan 15, 2012 - 4:58PM

    She was needed in heaven. RIP beautiful child…we miss you so much.

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  • Jan 15, 2012 - 5:20PM

    we all belong to allah and we all have to return..may god bless the departed sole and give patience to her parents
    she is truly our national hero

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  • Huma
    Jan 15, 2012 - 6:02PM

    so sad news……. may her soul rest in haven i will mis you Arfa

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  • Alisha Martin
    Jan 15, 2012 - 6:46PM

    I never heard of Arfa reading her story is so amazing, the world looses a great mind. My heart and prayer goes out to her family and the Pakistan. Remember our God gave us Arfa it’s his right to take her back. Don’t let what she accompished in her short life die.

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  • Alisha Martin
    Jan 15, 2012 - 6:52PM

    What a beautiful chid I never heard of Afra the world looses a great mind to her family and the Pakistan my prays goes out to you. Don’t let what Afra did in her short life die.

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  • Sumsoor
    Jan 15, 2012 - 7:15PM

    “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”
    May her soul rest in peace.

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  • Saqib
    Jan 15, 2012 - 8:14PM

    When I read all the comments from my brothers and sisters, I realize how this death has moved us all… It is trully tragic and with all the prayers from the readers, I am sure Allah will have mercy on this innocent angel and she will be given a place in Jannah… Ameen…

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  • BaZs
    Jan 15, 2012 - 8:21PM

    May Allah grant her highest place in jannat n his family the strength to bear this great loss…such a huge loss for Pakistan:(… My heart is saddened…

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  • Waseem Abbas
    Jan 15, 2012 - 8:29PM

    No comments On’’ (ARFA KARIM RANDHAWA) inna lillahe wa einna elaihe rajeoun! We pray for such youngsters for their longevity as well as our beloved Pakistan i have to say that when we lose to someone whom we consider so near by our heart when we don’t invoke and forget Allah Jalle Jalalaho I have…so depressed regretted to hear.
    Request of extremism’s organizations you have no idea what you have lost for but we know precise…the Pakistan must be an extremist country within such educationally traditions for…and you can…! A sad day for Pakistan! for future! Give protections to…!

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  • ali
    Jan 15, 2012 - 8:49PM

    “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”
    ‘Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return’
    Whole nation’s proud of you sister.
    May your soul rest in peace.
    :(

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  • naomi
    Jan 15, 2012 - 9:15PM

    I salute her!!

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  • Zalim singh
    Jan 15, 2012 - 9:26PM

    condolences from india. hope her little soul will get rest in heaven.

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  • Dr. Burt A. Frank
    Jan 15, 2012 - 9:40PM

    Aarifa Karim
    I was so warmed / touched by her beautiful smile and to hear her voice was like the sound of music. I had to repeat my statement of last night.
    She appeared to have a wonderful, loving soul. A bright shining star.
    She is a great loss to the human race / world / country and especially her family.
    My heart goes out to to them on the passing of their gifted , sweet , loving daughter / siblings.
    Dr. B. Frank

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  • Naeem Butt
    Jan 15, 2012 - 9:47PM

    May her Soul R.I.P…
    A Great Loss For the nation …

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  • Sachin Jain
    Jan 15, 2012 - 9:53PM

    Love and condolences for the Randhawa family from Mumbai, India.

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  • Mohsin Hayat
    Jan 15, 2012 - 10:07PM

    Rest in peace little girl, you teach us to dream, and to excel, and to smile. Pakistan misses you.

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  • Fahad Ali
    Jan 15, 2012 - 10:13PM

    Its a great loss of pakistan. Today me and my colligue (Indians, Philipines and Americans etc) talking about her. We mis you forever Arfa karim. No word to say more.

    Allah pak us ko jannat me jaga ata farmay or us ki bakhshish farmay or us k ghr walon ko ye sadma brdasht krney ki himat ata karey.Ameen

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  • Albert Kelterborn
    Jan 15, 2012 - 10:24PM

    Aarifa, I didn’t know you but I am so inspired by you and now you are with the creator who needed you for your talents. Even know she was from another country she will be missed.

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  • Muhammad Ali
    Jan 15, 2012 - 10:56PM

    Arfa beter and brileant student star of pakistan the very loss of pakistanRecommend

  • asif jogezai
    Jan 15, 2012 - 11:31PM

    May she rest in peace.
    Her achievements will always be remembered.
    Inna lilahi wa inna ilaihi raji’oun.

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  • Syed Imran
    Jan 15, 2012 - 11:41PM

    She is proud of Pakistan i am crying i am feeling like my own sister is dead.may her soul rest in peace.we never forget her and remember her in our prayers.

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  • TAHIR AKBAR
    Jan 15, 2012 - 11:53PM

    Arfa karim was an asset.her death is a great loss to Pakistan.may her soul rest in peace. Ameen. the youth of Pakistan should learn a lesson from the honour,which is given to her in her life and even after her life. TAHIR AKBAR CLASS FIVE PESHAWAR CANTT.

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  • Genie
    Jan 16, 2012 - 12:14AM

    In addition to demanding institutions and honors in the kid’s name, and feel that we are done with our obligations, let us also pledge, as a nation, to honor the LIVING amongst us. To clear the paths of the genius and the talented amongst us and allow them to create solutions for others. Support the genius child instrad of calling them troublemakers. Support girls’ education and opportunities. Let boys and girls play, not just chain them to their reading desks, or keep them under parental commands. Not laugh at, but encourage the intelligent amongst us. Not sabotage the talented. Not sabotage others just because they have a different color or race, or because they are richer or poorer.

    Let us also learn to respect our own talents. Let us free up the youth from crazy mullahs and war-mongerers (like Zaid Hamid, who screwed the minds of many youth in full view of whole society) and politicians who are encouraging the youth to waste their life and chances in the name of Pakistan. What these madmen mean by ‘Pakistan’ is only their own ego.

    Let us promise to rescue our children from these blood-thirsty bats.

    We Pakistanis respond more quickly to death than to life, which is why the loss of one MCP depresses the entire country. She did not comd to this world so people could turn her into another excuse for their non-stop depression and blaming life and God. You want to honor her memory? Then turn into someone who values their own time, contribution, and life.

    She is a child who passed away tragically. But as a light, she has not passed.

    Go drink a glass of water, wash up your nose, and return to your work and life with a new promise to do your best and live your life. To have lively people who are contributing in big or small ways to various areas of life is what Pakistan needs. That’s the lesson of this kid’s life.

    Peace!

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  • Prashant Sharma
    Jan 16, 2012 - 1:52AM

    Truly An Inspiration !

    Some times i feel god is cruel and bias in decisions of taking back life, bad lives longer and good goes sooner !

    Rest In Peace !

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  • VLM
    Jan 16, 2012 - 2:01AM

    RIP Child, world lost a young and brilliant mind.

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  • Syed Asim ALTAF
    Jan 16, 2012 - 4:36AM

    Daughter of Country.she was an angelRecommend

  • Shaesta
    Jan 16, 2012 - 4:38AM

    Great loss.

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  • Amir
    Jan 16, 2012 - 7:16AM

    I hope this talented girl and her name wont be lost in the web pages of facebook and media, national tv should make a program on her life so that other young girls can follow her footsteps and achieve glory and bring good name to pakistan and its people like she did at a young age of 9. My heart goes out for her mum and dad. Great loss.

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  • Jan 16, 2012 - 9:07AM

    she was very telented girl,she have also good thinking about her poor nation,INNA LILLAHE WAINA ELAIHE RAJEOON,may Allah give her parents,her familypatience,andmay Allahrest her soulin peace AAMEEN

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  • Ishtiaq Ahmad
    Jan 16, 2012 - 10:02AM

    May Arfa soul rest in peace, she not only made pakistani’s proud but the whole world. Prould daughter of nation

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  • insight
    Jan 16, 2012 - 11:53AM

    Tears . She was a gem .May Al-Mighty Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen

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  • Dr R Alam
    Jan 16, 2012 - 1:21PM

    Arfa
    You came, you saw, you conquered
    And
    You left………
    May Allah give your family and the mourning nation saber and rest you inthe peace of highest ranks of jannah.Amin
    YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED……

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  • Ahmad Nadeem
    Jan 16, 2012 - 1:41PM

    We will Really Miss You Dear Sister, we was love you, We love you We will loves you, we can never forget your work for Pakistan

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  • Waheed
    Jan 16, 2012 - 2:22PM

    Very sad. “Inna Lillahi wa Inna Allahi Raji’un

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  • Nasir Shabir
    Jan 16, 2012 - 2:46PM

    Is the attack was due to;
    - high study pressure at early age.
    - Too much computer usage at the age of 9.
    -Our parents / society pressure to always come First.
    or

    Is the result of people eye “Nazar Lag Gai”Recommend

  • Nasmajh
    Jan 16, 2012 - 4:17PM

    people like Arifa are sent by Allah to remind us of His miracles..they are sent to infuse hope in the hearts of the hopeless people.. they are among us to motivate us to dig out our talents and utilize them for the betterment of others..her achievements should be included in the syllabus of the primary schools to give courage to our children and to see more such prodigies in the Muslims world!!

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  • samiul haq
    Jan 16, 2012 - 4:21PM

    very big trajody for pakistan

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  • Tridev Acharya
    Jan 16, 2012 - 4:28PM

    May Your Soul Rest in peace little sister.. from India … We respect and appreciate your talent and will never forget it.whatever you have done for the whole..you have raised your whole nation into the position of highness and the whole world is proud of you.Little dear sister…

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  • Deepak
    Jan 16, 2012 - 7:12PM

    May god rest her in peace. But i am sorry for you Pakistan!!!!

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  • Deepak
    Jan 16, 2012 - 7:16PM

    This medical failure is not acceptable.

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  • Jan 16, 2012 - 7:21PM

    To God returned the child of the nation, a special child who’s gender is reviled by men, imposing on the female atrocious sanctions removing their right to education. Our child was thus a trailblazer showing that the gender of female was as competent as that of male and in matters academic. For the parents, we pray that their suffering receives peace from the Lord Almighty. May our child be a shining example to the youth of Pakistan and the world, that one can achieve anything if they are given the opportunity to learn. In a nation of illiterates the awesome shining example of our child’s academic achievement was remarkable, and bravo to the parents who identified the child’s academic prowess and made sacrifices so she could achieve her goal of knowledge accusation. There are millions of Arfas among us, if only we could love them and identify their talents and immerse the nation in knowledge acquirement at every level of society.

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  • maryam asif
    Jan 16, 2012 - 8:35PM

    *she is very nice cild v have to proud on him & make him idel.
    *

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  • Jan 16, 2012 - 10:17PM

    may her soul rest in peace it is a big lossRecommend

  • Jan 16, 2012 - 10:25PM

    she was a very nice child and may her soul live in peaceRecommend

  • Hasnain Shabbir
    Jan 16, 2012 - 11:34PM

    OH Aarifa may GOD give u REAL HEAVEN

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  • Hasnain Shabbir
    Jan 16, 2012 - 11:35PM

    May GOD gave HEAVEN to Aarifa

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  • Jean in Montgomery, Alabama, USA
    Jan 17, 2012 - 3:50AM

    This so sad news is just reaching me here in the United States. I grieve for her family and for Pakistan.

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  • Eric Kumar
    Jan 17, 2012 - 4:54AM

    Why God takes away the good people and bad people live to make this world worst. She belonged to all humanity . May the peace of God Almighty give strenght to her parents ,brothers ,sisters and to all of us who also considerd her our own child.

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  • Jan 17, 2012 - 9:39AM

    “Snow Angels” – By Arfa Kareem

    “[...]
    Snow angels in the white field,
    A little heart looking to be healed.
    She lays down in the bitter snow,
    And a figure of an angel begins to show.
    She lets out and sheds a tear,
    Yet she will always hold her angel near.
    [...]“Recommend

  • Albert Kelterborn
    Jan 17, 2012 - 10:55AM

    I did not know Arifa Karim. I read the story for the first time on Saturday night which I didn’t hear the news yet that she had passed away, I just heard she was doing better so I thought there was hope and while I was reading about her story that was so sad I tried but couldn’t hold back the tears. When I went to bed that night i prayed to GOD that she would get better.Then the next day I read that she had passed away and the only thing I could do all day is read the stories about her and I wanted to be with her because she seemed so special. She was different than anybody I had ever heard about. It’s just hard to understand why GOD takes the good ones first and leaves the bad ones. Arifa had so much to give to everyone and so much to teach us all. She has truly inspired me and I will think about her every day. I think that GOD needed a beautiful and smart girl in HEAVEN to teach everyone. Arifa I will never forget about you. Arifa you will not only be missed in your country of Pakistan but in the U. S. and around the world. I will miss you and your beautiful smile but I won’t forget about you and what you gave to everyone. Your legacy will live forever.

    GOD bless you Arifa,
    Albert

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  • Rene
    Jan 17, 2012 - 2:27PM

    My condolsences. A tragic loss for one so young.

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  • Iftikhar Ahmad Joyia
    Jan 17, 2012 - 3:53PM

    May Allah give Arfa`s Parents the strength and courage to bear this loss ….

    WE HAVE DEPRIVED OD SUCH A GENIUS PERSON

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  • Jan 17, 2012 - 9:23PM

    May your soul only know joy, little one.

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  • Jan 17, 2012 - 11:08PM

    Inna lilla hay alaihay rajioun, it true that we must return to Allah, may she rest in peace, but it’s our duty to remember her in any sence, she makes us and our nation proud, our goverment have to make at least one school in every district or every villege on her name to remember our lovely daughter/ sister.

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  • Jan 18, 2012 - 12:22AM

    I did met Arafia in Seattle, Washington USA….she was such a nice smaer girl. May she rest in peace and continue to inspire us.

    Anat Feldman
    12 years old
    Jerusalem, Israel

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  • Mike H
    Jan 18, 2012 - 12:55AM

    What an inspiration, and a tragic loss to her family and to the world. May she be at peace.

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  • faiza
    Jan 18, 2012 - 2:24AM

    **a demise to the country but still there is enough talent in pakistan who r even more talented than her but poor govt isnot doing any thing for them.a talented children nd youngsters of poors.how unfortunate we r…nd some those in rich also but donot have the proper guidance.THINK!!!! over it!!!!!!

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  • Dewayne
    Jan 18, 2012 - 2:41AM

    Life is short for all of us, but it seems so unfair to take the life of one so young, may peace be with the family and friends of this special young lady, and may this special young lady find peace with her God.

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  • Alan
    Jan 19, 2012 - 8:59AM

    Poor kid… sometimes the star that burns brightest, burns quickest… RIP MCSE VIP…

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  • Leigh Williams
    Jan 19, 2012 - 11:16AM

    My deepest sympathy to Arfa’s family and to the nation of Pakistan. The whole world feels the loss of one of our best and brightest. May her Creator bring comfort to all those who grieve.

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  • Roshan Joseph
    Jan 19, 2012 - 10:25PM

    RIP beautiful angel.. You have been an inspiration..

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  • Jan 19, 2012 - 10:38PM

    The prayers are all for self satisfaction. We share the sorrow of her parents. Recommend

  • Jan 20, 2012 - 2:19AM

    about 30mints ealier I got an sms that she is died..
    I was so angry that disinformation continues… then another ones comes..
    So I have to check it on net..
    I cant believe it.. I was and I am shocked to learn that she is no more with us..
    “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”
    she is “Whole nation’s proud”..
    Allah unke parents ko sabr jameel ata farmain…
    Ameen

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  • Jan 20, 2012 - 2:22AM

    Life is short for all of us, but it seems so unfair to take the life of one so young, may peace be with the family and friends of this special young lady, and may this special young lady find peace with her God.

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  • Mubasher khan
    Jan 20, 2012 - 10:31AM

    She was a gift of God Almighty. Tragic loss for the already suffering nation. May her soul rest in peace .

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  • Jan 21, 2012 - 8:13AM

    May Al-Mighty Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen.

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  • Mahboob Ahmed
    Jan 21, 2012 - 2:02PM

    Lost a Gift of God, May Allah shower His choicest blessing on her and grant strength to the Family.
    Suggest “Ramdiwali” her native village be named “Arafa Abad”

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  • ibraheem khan
    Jan 22, 2012 - 7:41PM

    deeply saddened :( MAY ALLAH REST HER SOUL IN PEACE,

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  • ARSHAD SOOMRO
    Jan 23, 2012 - 3:33PM

    May your soul rest in peace.
    Ameen Sum Ameen.

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  • Maaz
    Jan 24, 2012 - 10:17AM

    She is in a better place now… she was too smart to be one of us.. and smart people don’t end up nice in Pakistan just like AAFIA Siddiqui..

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  • Omar Farooq Hashmi
    Feb 1, 2012 - 10:48PM

    I could say nothing except Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajion’
    May Allah rest her in piece.
    I viewed her interview on jewo channel, found her so innocent, quite & looking forward approach to lead the people. So excited & believer in Allah.
    From her short life period she left message for the rest of the nation. HO AZAM JAWAN TO KIA NAHI KER SAKTA HAN HAM.

    May Allah give patience to her parents’.

    Omar Farooq Hashmi

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  • aka
    Feb 2, 2012 - 1:12AM

    those people should be are text book for younger kids,her and khan,and we have lot more people who did good job international level.let are kids know we have hero in pakistan.and we must teach are kids muslim scientist ,it’s courage them to be a some body.

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  • Mar 12, 2012 - 1:00PM

    Arfa Kareem Death big loos for Pakistan

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  • Mar 12, 2012 - 1:03PM

    Arfa Kareem death Loss of Pakistan

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