23/05/2025
• Balti Cuisine – Skardu: Baltistan, often referred to as a paradise for adventure tourism, is renowned for its majestic mountain peaks and world-famous trekking routes. Despite the region's tourism potential, women face significant social barriers that prevent them from participating in tourism-related activities or starting their own businesses. In this challenging environment, an enterprising young local woman, Ms. Kaneez Fatima, took a bold step to break these barriers. She launched her own business, Balti Cuisine, in 2022, focusing on the rich culinary heritage of the region. Her initiative highlights locally sourced organic ingredients such as yak meat, dried apricots, walnuts, barley, and homegrown vegetables. Recognizing the lack of authentic Balti dishes available in Skardu's culinary scene, Ms. Fatima identified an opportunity to fill this gap by offering traditional, flavorful Balti dishes served in an authentic local setting. Her business not only celebrates the centuries-old traditions and unique flavors of Baltistan but also serves as a cultural hub for promoting the area's high-altitude environment and organic food practices. Operating from her home, she aims to expand her business further, improve marketing strategies, and train local Balti women to preserve and promote traditional food menus.
