Unreached Peoples: The Balti People of Pakistan — Paul Hattaway

Reaching the Balti People Through Mountain Passes

To reach the Baltis in northernmost Pakistan, you have to travel for several hours on a single lane mountain pass called the 8th wonder of the world because of its altitude. The area where the Baltis live is uninviting.

Glaciers, Mountains, and Physical Hardship

It has the highest number of mountain peaks in the world, 60 peaks above 7 ,000 meters and 4 above 8 ,000 meters. This is definitely not an area to visit if fear of heights is a problem. The Baltis are dependent upon the glaciers for water as the rainfall is less than 150 millimeters per year.

The largest glaciers in the world, apart from those in the North and South Pole, are found here. Despite enough physical water though, the Balti are spiritually thirsty. The Balti are a forgotten people, as seen by their run-down homes.

Population, Literacy, and the Restricted Lives of Women

The population of the Balti is around 400 ,000. They are almost 100 Muslim. Only 20 of the men can read and write and only 3 of the women. Typically you will not find women on the streets in the Balti area.

Women are very shy and have very little freedom. The Balti are cut off from the rest of Pakistan for months at a time because of rockfalls and avalanches. This influences the economy. Many try to earn a living repairing shoes, making and selling goat meat kebabs, mobile fruit stalls, selling cloth or selling plastic and pots.

Community Pressure, Isolation, and Persecution

The Balti community is very close. This makes it very difficult for a Christian to remain standing in this Muslim community. The temperature in the winter can go as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The Baltis came from Tibet in the 7th century and settled here.

From Islam to the Hope of Christ

In the 16th century they accepted the Islamic faith. Today less than 1 are Christians, a choice which leads to persecution and even death. The door to evangelizing the Balti started opening. But they still choose to turn their backs on the one and true saviour, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for the Balti People

Please pray for the Balti.