ALKHOBAR, 30 August 2005 — Five years ago Arab News began reporting on the progress of the three Shafquat sisters, IT prodigies hailing from Karachi, Pakistan. The young ladies are an inspiration to Muslim women everywhere. Raised by their parents to know no bounds in the pursuit of knowledge, the sisters have studied university level IT courses since their childhood days.
In an update on their success, Isbah, the eldest of the sisters won the 6th NCR National IT Excellence Award for the year 2003-2004 in May 2005.
This award aims to recognize talent in the field of IT. Isbah won the award in the IT Youth category for her extraordinary performance at a very young age.
She has passed three international certifications and made two world records i.e. “World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified C# Programmer” on Feb. 26, 2003 at the age of 16 years 1 month and 26 days and “World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified ASP .Net Developer” on Aug. 4, 2003 at the age of 16 years 7 months and 4 days.
It should be pointed out that Afsah who is the second of the Shafquat Sisters, won the 4th NCR National IT Excellence Award for the period 2002-2003, and Afrah, who is the youngest among the Shafquat Sisters, won the 5th NCR National IT Excellence Award for the period 2003-2004.
Three consecutive years, three consecutive awards, in the same category — these three sisters are a model for the new generation to follow.
Altogether the Shafquat sisters have passed 11 international certifications and created nine world records. To these nine world records, Afrah’s contribution is of two world records, Afsah’s is of five and Isbah’s is of two.
Isbah is studying Computer Science at FAST National University and on Aug. 10 won the ITCN Asia 2005 Award — Architect of the IT Industry.
The parents of these young ladies have also finally been recognized.
Dr. and Mrs. Shafquat Mahmood were awarded a gold medal from the Pakistani business organization Kalia Group, for being the parents who brought up their daughters in such a way that they were able to achieve great goals. Bravo!
