Pakistan's tallest man raises funds for surgery

Pakistan's tallest man, who injured his foot in an accident six years ago, is touring the Philippines to raise funds for a surgery.

Ijaz Ahmed, who stands at eight feet four inches and is expected to grow by about three to four inches, is trying to raise USD 50,000 dollars for his surgery.

"My height is a gift from god," Ahmed, who has a good chance of making it to the Guinness Book of World Records, told the media in the Philippines.

Ahmed, who belongs to a farming family from Punjab province, injured his foot in a car accident six years ago. He has been touring parts of the world for the past two years to raise money for his surgery.

Ahmed's current trip to Manila is at the invitation of Ann Sia of Clara International, whom he met in Malaysia.

Sia, who on learning of his condition, offered to host him and help raise funds, said Ahmed was a guest along with a three-foot-tall man.

"My friend Ann invited me to go to the Philippines to raise funds for my operation. She said the people here are friendly and very kind," Ahmed said.

Sia said a Filipino has pledged to help Ahmed and scheduled him for a medical checkup at a hospital.

Asked if he has a girlfriend, Ahmed said: "Right now, I don't have a girlfriend because in Pakistan, we have arranged marriages. My parents will choose the girl for me."

Ahmed, through the help of his caretaker and interpreter Jamil Ahmed, has submitted an application to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records.