VEHARI: Pakistan’s tallest man, Zia Rasheed, passed away after a protracted illness at the age of 30 in Vehari on Tuesday.
Rasheed, who gained national and international attention for his remarkable height of eight feet and three inches, had been battling health issues stemming from knee-related complications since the age of 20.
Born in Vehari, Rasheed achieved local fame when he became the tallest man in Pakistan at just 15 years old. However, his towering stature brought with it health challenges. Despite attempts to seek treatment, Rasheed struggled to receive adequate medical care, a situation exacerbated by a fall last year that intensified his pain.
Today, a large number of people, including influential figures from social and political spheres, attended his funeral prayer.
In an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in December 2018, Rasheed expressed his passion for fitness, undergoing taekwondo training to maintain his physical well-being and learn self-defense. Despite his height and physical limitations, Rasheed managed to receive education up to the matriculation level, but faced challenges continuing his studies due to financial constraints and mobility issues.
He had claimed that his height was eight feet and three inches and he was the second tallest man in the world. He had demanded the government to support him financially for living a better life.
