Sadiqa Shaheen - fighting against all odds

The inspiring story of how a short statured became a software engineer

KARACHI: Tu shaheen hai, parwaz hai kaam tera
Tere samne asman aur bhi hain

[You are an eagle, flight is your vocation; you have other skies stretching out before you].

This couplet from Allama Iqbal’s poem ‘Bal-e-Jibril’ was the inspiration behind Sadiqa Shaheen’s name, given to her by her father Syed Khawaja Gaisu Daraz, who was a poet and computer analyst.

Shaheen, who has a height of 2.7 feet, has been a software engineer at one of the Pakistan’s most prestigious research organisations since 2008. She completed her matriculation from SM Public School and intermediate from Sir Syed Government Girls College, after which she completed her bachelors in computer information systems from NED University of Engineering and Technology in 2007. Shaheen now wants to complete her masters and then her doctorate.



The youngest of four siblings, she says she is the favorite at home. “I am the most lovable at home; my parents and siblings have supported me in every step of my life,” Shaheen, sitting on a sofa with the help of a stool, shared with The Express Tribune.

The 32-year-old accepted that her bone structure was different and that her height would not increase further, unlike her siblings, when she was 10-years-old. “My parents treated me just like my other siblings and I never felt that I was different until I faced it at school,” she said, sharing how she had to struggle and had had a tough time adjusting at school, college, university and somewhat at her work place too.

“People used to stare at me strangely, the children at school made fun of me and sometimes, even teachers had difficulty accepting me as a normal student. It always took time to make friends with people and adjust,” she narrated, explaining how she made good friends after some time and all those people are still close friends of hers and have always been a great support.



At first, Shaheen’s parents were very worried for her and took her to different doctors but nothing came of that but false hope. Shaheen narrated how she still has flashbacks of those visits.

She eventually accepted that her bone structure is different and this is how the Creator made her. “I have seen my mother crying for me during her prayers and maybe that is why I am successful in whatever I have done,” she said.

Sharing how difficult it was for her to keep up with other students, the software developer said that at times, she used to come home and refuse to go back to school ever again, but her father, who was her inspiration, always motivated her to complete her studies.



After her father’s death, Shaheen's mother never let her lose hope. “There was even a day in university when I gave up and said I won’t go again,” Shaheen said, adding that her father had hired a driver to be with her the whole day and take her around.

“My elder sister has also encouraged me during every step of my life,” Shaheen said.

Applying for a job

Reminiscing about the problems she faced while applying for a job, Shaheen shared that companies used to call her for interviews after seeing her exceptional academic records but when she would enter the interview room, their eyes and expressions would say everything.



She even faced difficulties during her interview for university as interviewers asked her to demonstrate holding a pen and if she could write easily or not.

“I have gone through this sort of humiliation a lot and now am used to it. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter to me,” the courageous lady said.

Customised living

Last year, Shaheen shared with her family that she wanted to learn how to drive. Prior to that, she and her sister who is settled in Islamabad researched on extenders used in cars for short-statured people. Luckily, they got hold of a company in the United States that exports extenders. Shaheen’s sister placed an order for extenders, which were customised to Shaheen’s height.



The day her sister called her and said the extenders for her car had arrived, Shaheen asked her brother to go on a drive with her. From October 16, 2016, Shaheen drove her brother’s car for around six months and recently bought herself a new car a few months ago. “I have adjusted my car according to my use with the appropriate seat and cushion heights,” she said.

Meanwhile, Shaheen shared that she has been told by the Nazimabad branch of the driving license office that she cannot get a driving license, but she plans to keep trying till she is able to obtain one.
Shaheen loves cooking and has also had the kitchen at her house in North Nazimabad customised to her needs. “I found it difficult to climb onto chairs to get things while cooking so my brother built a small kitchen area for me in the main kitchen,” she said, while showing off her stove, slab and drawers.

In her room, the cupboard, bed, dressing table, writing table, sockets and switches have also been fixed according to her height, ever since she was in her intermediate.

Shaheen’s wish list

Like any other person, Shaheen also has a wish list.



“My very first wish was to be a computer engineer because I learnt a bit of programming from my baba [father],” she said with a bright smile on her face. Shaheen's two other wishes were to have a job, which she currently has, and to learn how to drive so she could drive around the city. The latter was also recently fulfilled.

“Now the biggest wish left on my list is to go on a world tour on my own,” she shared, adding that she plans to do this soon.

Motivating other parents

Shaheen believes in being an example for parents who do not encourage their short-statured children to study. Parents should treat their differently-abled children as they would treat their other children, she believes.

“Scold them, beat them, encourage them like you do your other children,” she said, adding that the perception should be changed that people like her cannot do anything in their lives.

“I want to change the perception about short-statured people. You can still face the world with a big smile and tell the world you are happy the way you are,” Shaheen said, saying she wants to fly high just as like meaning of her name.