Binti genius wa computer aaga dunia

Microsoft's youngest professional has died, aged 16.

Condolences have poured in from around the world after the passing of promising young computer genius Arfa Karim Randhawa, from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

The teenager died on Saturday night after complications resulting from an epileptic stroke.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who offered to pay for Karim's treatment, told the family he was sad to learn of her death and the loss of such a rare talent, her father said.

Funeral prayers were offered on Sunday in Lahore before her body was taken to her native village Ram Dewali, Faisalabad for burial.

Scores of people, including Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, ministers, politicians, friends and Karim's fellow students gathered to support the grieving family during the procession.

According to local reports, Karim went into a coma on December 22 after suffering an epileptic attack and cardiac arrest.

She was admitted to treatment at Combined Military Hospital in Lahore and was on life support at the Intensive Care Unit when she suffered a tracheotomy complication on Saturday evening that resulted in bleeding in her throat.

Despite earlier reports her progress had improved, doctors were unable to save her.

Karim rose to international fame when she became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional - a title awarded to those who master Microsoft programs - at the age of nine in 2005.

The company website notes adults often use the certification to further their careers in the tech field.

After earning the certification, Karim was subsequently invited to visit Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington by founder Bill Gates.

Karim, then ten, met with Gates and other Microsoft executives during the visit, undoubtedly impressing them with her knowledge of programming at such a young age.

According to Geo.TV, after Karim's hospitalisation, Gates in January reached out to the family and offered to pay for her medical care.

It was reported he also proposed moving Karim to the U.S. for better treatment, although doctors decided it was against her best interest given Karim was on a ventilator.