Did You Know? Pakistan’s tallest man (2024), Zia Rasheed, passed away on July 2 at the age of 30. Coincidentally, this date marks the 26th death anniversary of Alam Channa, another towering figure from Pakistan who was once the world’s tallest man.
Rasheed’s remarkable height of 8 feet, reached by age 18, brought with it numerous health challenges. While Sultan Kosen from Türkiye currently holds the record for the tallest living person at 8 feet 3 inches, Rasheed was not far behind. His towering stature was a result of a glandular issue that caused an overproduction of growth hormone. This started when he was 12, leading to his extraordinary height.
Living with such an exceptional height, Rasheed faced several health issues, including leg-related ailments that caused him significant pain. Despite his struggles, he stayed in Pakistan and never received the medical care he needed abroad. Local reports mentioned that his health had been deteriorating for a long time before his passing.
Who Was Alam Channa?
Alam Channa, who held the title of the tallest living man from 1982 to 1998, also faced similar health challenges. Standing at 7 feet 7 inches, Channa was a familiar face in traveling circuses and eventually suffered from kidney failure and high blood pressure. Unlike Rasheed, Channa was sent to the US for treatment but passed away on July 2, 1988. He is buried in Sehwan, near the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, where his family served for many years.
Both Rasheed and Channa’s lives highlight the unique challenges faced by people of extraordinary height. Their stories are a reminder of how such physical attributes, while remarkable, can come with significant health implications.
