Ali`s amicability during our correspondence came as a surprise to me. Not because I didn`t expect him to be polite, but stereotypically, I didn`t expect him to be as extroverted as he is. An 18-year-old Pakistani boy who has broken a worldwide academic record in perhaps one of the hardest exams in school life, I`d expect would be, if not bifocal clad, then at the least, painfully bashful — whatever happened to stereotyping! But Ali is far from that; he is pro-active, multi talented, friendly and quite obviously smart!

Ali Moeen Warraich Nawazish is the world record breaker for achieving 21 As, in his A and AS (Advanced Supplementary) level exams. Ali took a total of 23 A level exams in three instalments over a period of 12 months; he got 21 As, one B and one C.

The interesting thing is that Ali is not even sure why he took up so many extra subjects, “To be honest I don`t really know. I am sure it wasn`t academic interest. It was more about `trying` to achieve something, though as I am not really competitive, I wouldn`t say it was for something `no one else` had achieved before. Studying was more or less haphazard to be honest. I don`t know how I pulled it off.”

In fact, Ali did not share the fact that he had taken so many extra subjects with anyone. “Initially people knew I was taking 10 - 14 subjects and I wasn`t getting really good reactions for that and dealing with the `gossip`/ `backstabbing` was becoming a big problem so one day I told everyone that I had dropped all the extras. Even my teachers didn`t know until the exams started.”

And his parents? “They found out when the results came out.” Says Ali with a grin.

Ali`s first reaction when he received his results was typically down to earth. “I was in the States attending a leadership summit at Stanford when the results were announced. In fact, I decided to attend it just to keep my mind off the results — I was pretty scared. When I heard the results I just went to the kitchen and made myself paratha for nashtha. I was so stunned; I think the first person I was trying to get this information through to was myself. Then I started calling up my friends.”

As a graduate of the Roots Academy, Ali gives full credit to his school and his teachers for his astounding success. “I think it would have been different if I was at any other school because the support structure and flexibility that Roots offers is great. The biggest factor were my teachers; without them nothing would have been possible. Sir Zahoor Sultan in particular played a major role in my success. I used to be a very bad student before my O Levels and he sort of made me believe in myself (as corny as that sounds). If it wasn`t for him I don`t know where I would be.”

Asked if his success places pressure on the future students at Roots, Ali replies “It really depends. If someone wants to do 24 subjects then yes, if not, then I don`t think it matters. But I hope students look at this positively as `I can do it too` rather than negatively.”

With a group on Facebook and a page on Wikipedia, Ali`s achievement has garnered him a growing number of fans. However, not all reactions are positive. “The occasional messages of `You`re a loser` or `What a big waste of time` aren`t really too bothering. Even the posts by a weird guy who apparently wants to shoot me on sight are amusing. There are some, unfortunately, from my peer group, who refer to the project as being selfish, and say and write stuff which is truly disturbing and heartbreaking to be honest. It is sad.”

Apart from his studies Ali is also keen on music, “I play the keyboard and the guitar. I am part of a band, and we hope to come out with a song soon. I try to be just a normal teenager and I may fail on some counts but I do succeed on some.”

Regarding his choice of Cambridge as opposed to an Ivy League in the States, Ali waxes lyrical, “To walk the same halls as the world`s most prominent scientists such as Newton, Rutherford, Cavendish, and Babbage, etc. have was too good an opportunity to let go off. It is an amazing place and I am extremely thankful for this amazing opportunity.”

Asked about his future plans, Ali admits to being derailed by what he terms the `media-catastrophe.` “I had a very clear roadmap ahead of me before all this happened to do medicine after my computer science and become a doctor. Now, I am not sure anymore. I am trying to take it as it comes rather than following some grand plan which never works anyway.”

However, there is one grand plan Ali is following with immense dedication and that`s StepUP Pakistan, a project that seeks to promote education in the country. One can sense the depth of his enthusiasm as he eagerly explains the objectives.

“The core value of this project is to contribute towards the cause of nation building. The role for now is to promote education throughout Pakistan, and I mean everywhere. It`s time all of us, who have been so lucky, do something great for the country.

“We want to promote education, by reaching out to students all around the country, every province, to increase opportunity and awareness; to inspire to motivate. We will Insha Allah be going around the country this summer and talking to students in villages — hoping to make a difference.”

Amidst the gloom within the country and negative reputation abroad here is a Pakistani who has forced the world to believe that this country has immense talent and verve. In a time where we make headlines for fostering extremism and being on the verge of being slapped with the label of a failed state — here is a Pakistani who has brought immense pride to the country.