BAHAWALPUR: Zia Rashid, the tallest man in the country, died after a protracted illness at his native 94-WB village near Mailsi, Vehari district, on Tuesday night.

He was 26.

As per family sources, Zia, son of Dr Abdul Rashid, had a height ofeight feet and three inches.

He had been suffering from arthritis and his condition worsened last year after he fell from stairs and was bed-ridden since then.

His funeral prayers were largely attended by area people.

It was claimed that he was also the second tallest man in the world.