On the first death anniversary of Ms Saadia Khan

Columnist SOBIA NISAR writes about a lost jewel, the late daughter of my good friend, Brig Akram Khan. Without any doubt, she was an extraordinary being.

The beginning of the new millennium took away from us a young, intelligent, brilliant, energetic, gold medallist who will be remembered for years because of her extraordinary achievements and qualities. Ms Saadia Khan—-who lived like a jewel amongst us for 24 years, was reunited with her Creator on 13 April 2002 in a road accident while trying to save a young boy. Ms Saadia who sacrificed her life while saving another life was blessed with God gifted abilities. Ms Saadia was not only a highly qualified professional but also a caring, sensitive, generous human being.
Ms Saadia Khan daughter of Brig (Retd) M Akram Khan was declared the best student because of her extraordinary performance at National University of Science and Technology NUST from where she completed MBA in technology management. She was posthumously awarded degree of Masters in Business Administration and a Gold Medal. Her mother received her degree and medal after her death. Late Saadia Khan had been a brilliant student throughout her career, starting from Burn Hall School at Abottabad to Nust, where she was declared first in a course attended by foreign students.
Saadia was working as information technology assistant at United Nations Information Centre in Islamabad. A graduate of the GIK Engineering she bagged the national title in 2002. She was a National Champion in Skiing.
From her very young age Saadia actively participated in group activities. In 1987, an international young group arrived in Pakistan to understand the local culture and participate in social activities, under the name of Operation Raleigh, she got associated with it indirectly because she was too young to be included as a full time participant. This opportunity further led to her participation in adventures and thrill sports.
In 1985, she got interested in snow skiing whereby her father supported her with all enthusiasm and zeal. Saadia went to Naltar at the Pakistan Air Force Skiing School to learn this sport. Later she went to Norway and Austria to further master this sport. In Austria at Gaschurn she actively participated in a skiing competition and secured second position, a feat unparallel so far by any Pakistani woman.
In February 2002, Saadia was awarded a Gold Medal and a certificate by the Ski Federation of Pakistan for attaining first position in National Ski Championship for the ladies event of Slalom race.
In 1991, Saadia actively participated in water skiing. She learnt water skiing as good as anybody else and became the first female water skier of Pakistan. The above achievements won her the Annual Talent Award in 1991 for sports.
Saadia’s academic record was an extraordinary one. She passed her matric examination from Burn Hall School, Abbottabad obtaining 752 marks and attained 12th position in FG Board. Afterwards she joined Kinnaird College and attained the second position in college in her Faculty of Science Degree. In 1995, she was awarded Debating Society Certificate for her excellent participation in debates.
Saadia joined Ghulam Ishaq Institute and qualified as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. She was named NAANI because of her helping and caring attitude towards classmates. She actively participated in dramas, debates, seminars and outdoor trips. She joined UN Information Centre UNIC as an IT Assistant in June 1999, and continued till last.
In the words of Dr Ali Sajid, Head of Department of Information and Technology Management, NUST, Saadia possessed high intellectual capability and academic performance. Though she was working full time in a UN agency, yet she managed to attain top position in her course work. She had strong analytical skills coupled with a good written expression. She seemed to fully employ her engineering background with the management courses that she undertook. She was quite independent to handle all challenging assignments independently. She was an intelligent, hardworking, organized and diligent student. She possessed a humble, polite and very balanced personality. She seemed energetic in community service and volunteered for humanitarian causes including blood donation. She was also a volunteer worker for the orphan children camp SOS Village, Rawalpindi.
She had a positive attitude towards all activities. In the words of Mr Haroon Jatoi, Dean, NUST Institute of Management Sciences, Ms Saadia completed her MBA 1st Semester with Grade Point Average of 4.00 which is the highest any student can get. She was one of the best students of NIMS – a good hardworking student and a very pleasant personality, highly regarded by her teachers and peers. She had excellent command over her written, spoken and understanding of English language.
Ms Anila Sheikh, Warden Girls Hostel GIK Institute described her as a pleasant member of the hostel community. With her amiable, social, confident and empathic personality, she had been a well liked member of the hostel. With her professional competence, quest for knowledge and commitment she promised to be a useful and effective member of the society. She had a lot of potential and had a capacity to overcome any challenge that she encountered.
On the first death anniversary of Ms Saadia Khan, our younger generation should make a commitment to follow the footsteps of Ms Khan’s sense of dedication and responsibility that was truly exceptional in all respects. Her patience, diligence, warmth and integrity towards her fellow beings was exemplary.
“ We can never forget this fine and distinguished human being and the contribution she made here. She was a jewel among us.”