# Arfa Karim

> Pakistani computer scientist (1995–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q11745](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11745)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arfa_Karim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arfa-karim

## Summary
Arfa Karim was a Pakistani computer scientist and child prodigy born in 1995 who gained international recognition for her talents in technology at a very young age. She received the Pride of Performance award, becoming one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious Pakistani civilian honor. She passed away in Lahore in 2012 at the age of 16 due to a myocardial infarction.

## Biography
- Born: February 2, 1995 in Ram Diwali, Pakistan
- Nationality: Pakistan
- Religion: Islam
- Native language: Urdu
- Education: Lahore Grammar School
- Field(s): Computer Science
- Gender: Female
- Died: January 14, 2012 in Lahore, Pakistan
- Cause of death: Myocardial infarction
- Manner of death: Natural causes
- Place of burial: Ram Diwali
- Roles: Computer scientist, child prodigy
- Medical condition: Epilepsy

## Contributions
The provided source material does not contain specific details about Arfa Karim's technical contributions, publications, patents, or specific projects. Her primary recognition came through her designation as a computer scientist and child prodigy who received the Pride of Performance award from Pakistan at a young age.

## FAQs
**Q: What recognition did Arfa Karim receive?**
A: Arfa Karim received the Pride of Performance award, which is one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors. She was recognized as a child prodigy in the field of computer science.

**Q: Where was Arfa Karim from and where did she live?**
A: She was born in Ram Diwali, Pakistan and held Pakistani citizenship. She died in Lahore, Pakistan, and was buried in Ram Diwali.

**Q: What was Arfa Karim's educational background?**
A: She attended Lahore Grammar School in Pakistan.

**Q: What languages did Arfa Karim speak?**
A: Her native language was Urdu, which she both spoke and wrote.

## Why They Matter
Arfa Karim's significance lies in her exceptional achievements as a young Pakistani female in the field of computer science during her short life from 1995 to 2012. As a child prodigy recognized with the Pride of Performance award, she represented the potential of Pakistani youth in technology fields and became an inspiration for young people, particularly girls, interested in computer science in Pakistan and beyond. Her story highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent in developing nations and demonstrated that geographical boundaries need not limit technological excellence.

## Notable For
- Child prodigy in computer science
- Recipient of the Pride of Performance award
- Pakistani female computer scientist
- Young achiever who gained recognition in technology at an early age

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Arfa Karim was born on February 2, 1995, in Ram Diwali, Pakistan. She was a Pakistani citizen and practiced Islam. Her native language was Urdu, which she both spoke and wrote. From an early age, she demonstrated exceptional abilities that would lead to her recognition as a child prodigy.

### Education
Karim received her education at Lahore Grammar School, one of Pakistan's prestigious educational institutions. Her schooling in Lahore provided the foundation for her development as a computer scientist.

### Recognition and Achievements
Arfa Karim's exceptional abilities in computer science earned her the Pride of Performance award, one of Pakistan's most prestigious civilian honors. This recognition marked her as a child prodigy in the field of technology and brought attention to her remarkable capabilities at a young age.

### Medical History
Karim had epilepsy as a medical condition. She ultimately passed away from natural causes, specifically a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

### Death and Legacy
Arfa Karim died on January 14, 2012, in Lahore, Pakistan, at the age of 16. Following her death, she was buried in her birthplace of Ram Diwali. Her passing was reported in Pakistani media, including Dawn newspaper.

### Global Recognition
Her story and achievements gained international attention, evidenced by her Wikipedia presence in 28 different languages including Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, and many others. She has been cataloged in major library systems including the Library of Congress (Authority ID: n2012221421), VIAF (ID: 272624857), FAST (ID: 1946037), and WorldCat Entities (ID: E39PBJtX873HjRbFFcr77mjDMP).

### Professional Classification
As a computer scientist, Karim was part of a profession classified under ISCO-08 code 2511 and Dewey Decimal Classification 004.092. Computer scientists work in both industrial and service sectors, focusing on the theoretical foundations of information and computation and the design of computational systems.

### Cultural Impact
Arfa Karim's name in her native Urdu was ارفع کریم رندھاوا (Arfa Karim Randhawa). She also went by the name Arfa Abdul Karim Randhawa. Her recognition as a female computer scientist from Pakistan at such a young age made her a notable figure in discussions about child prodigies and women in technology in South Asia.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewarticles.php?editorialid=2103)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Arfa Karim passes away in Lahore](http://www.dawn.com/2012/01/14/arfa-karim-passes-away-in-lahore.html)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Urdu Wikipedia
6. Library of Congress Control Number