Balti people

For the similarly named ethnic group inhabiting Northern Europe, see Balts.

Baltis
kargili
Balti children photographed in Tarishing, Gilgit−Baltistan in September 2008
Total population
c. 393,000
Regions with significant populations
Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan
Ladakh, India
Languages
L1: Balti (native language)
L2: Urdu (national language of Pakistan)
Religion
Islam
(Predominantly Shia Muslims, with small minorities of Noorbakshia Muslims and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan and India)
Related ethnic groups
Tibetans, Purigpas, Ladakhis, Dardic

The Baltis are a Tibetic ethnic group who are native to the Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit−Baltistan and the Indian-administered territory of Ladakh, predominantly in the Kargil district with smaller concentrations present in the Leh district. Outside of the Kashmir region, Baltis are scattered throughout Pakistan, with the majority of the diaspora inhabiting prominent cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

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