It is common for people to mistake terms like Arab and Pakistani. This is mostly because both these people have the same lineage considerations. Even topographically, they retain a lot of similarities.
However, these are not the same and must not be used interchangeably. Therefore, one must understand the points the difference between these two terms do not confuse them for each other.
Key Takeaways
- Arab and Pakistani are terms used to describe people from different parts of the world.
- Arab refers to people from the Arabian Peninsula or surrounding regions, while Pakistani refers to people from Pakistan.
- Arabs and Pakistanis have different cultures, languages, and customs, and no one-size-fits-all description can accurately describe all individuals from these regions.
Arab vs Pakistani
The difference between Arabs and Pakistanis is that one hints towards citizenship of the country(Pakistan), whereas the other refers to the root or ancestry to which one belongs(Arab). Another difference that can be cited is between languages. In one country, Urdu is the chief language, whereas Arabic is the prime language in another.
Arab relates to many pastoral Semitic peoples of the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula, including the Arabic language.
It refers to any Arabic-speaking people living in the massive empire ranging from Mauritania on Africa’s Atlantic coast to the southern section of Iran, encompassing the whole Maghreb region of North Africa, Algeria, and Libya.
Pakistanis are a concept that describes a human’s citizenship in a given country. To the most recent census profile from 2017, Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populated country, with around 213 million people.
Even though Urdu is the major language of the people who reside there, there are also several native languages spoken by tiny ethnic minorities, tribespeople, and in the hilly region.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Arab | Pakistani |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Saudi Arabians dress in a long garment known as an Abba since the climate in that region demands it. It is a prime requirement to cover one’s head due to the extremely bad and dry weather. | Shalwar or Suit is the most popular choice here. |
| Language | Saudi Arabia’s native or predominant dialect is Arabic. Arabic is spoken in rural and urban areas, with different accents in cities and suburbs. | Shalwar or Suit is the most popular choice here. |
| Festivals | Individuals in Arabs, like Pakistanis, zealously celebrate their Islamic and local holidays. There is a great deal of enjoyment and zeal during Eid. | In Pakistan, all celebrations are passionately observed, including the Eids. |
| Term | “Arab” refers to a person’s ancestors. | “Pakistani” refers to a person’s nationality or citizenship. |
| Nationality status | Though Islam is one of the major religions in the Arab world, not all Muslims are Arabs. Arabs, once again, are individuals of that ancestry. | Pakistanis are the nation’s citizens and have inhabited there for centuries, embracing all its races and customs. |
What is Arab?
Arab, Arabic single male ‘Arab,’ singular feminine ‘Arabiyyah,’ plural ‘Arab,’ a person who speaks Arabic as their first language. Arab refers to any of the primarily wandering Semitic people of the Arabian Peninsula before the advent of Islam and, with that as well, the Arabic dialect.
In contemporary usage, it refers to any Arabic-speaking individuals residing in the enormous territory extending from Mauritania on Africa’s Atlantic coast to the southwestern part of Iran, which includes the whole Maghreb of North Africa, Algeria and Libya.
Since there is significant geographical variance, this varied group of individuals resists physical stereotypes. Nomadic shepherds who grazed their cattle and camels in the extreme desert conditions comprised a vast component of the ancient Arabs on the Arabian Peninsula.
In the oasis, sedentary Arabs conducted to date(khajoor) and grain cultivation. Aromatic spices, tusks, and gold were brought to northern cultures from the southern part of Arabia and the Horn of Africa in caravans.
Most of the Arab world still has a divide between desert tribes, city inhabitants, and agrarian.
What is Pakistani?
Pakistan has traditionally been a conquering military route and a crossroads for communities and regions. As a result, it is a major mix of cultures and ethnicities.
Pakistan’s citizens are divided into five main or substantial ethnic groups and a few lesser-race minorities. Punjabis are by far the most common ethnic group in the nation, accounting for more than half of the population.
The Pathans account for about one-eighth of the total population, while the Sindhis amount for a lesser proportion. The muhajir—Muslims who migrated to Pakistan following the 1947 partition—and the Balochs comprise most of the surviving population.
Within each of these five categories, there are subcategories, as well as a few minor ethnic groups that aren’t listed. All Punjabis, including Arians and Jats, consider themselves racially different.
Punjabi Pashtuns and Hazarvi Pashtuns, for example, fall under both of the five categories.
Some small ethnic groups, such as the Sindhi and Punjabi Siraikis, have separate cultural identities, although native Pashtuns constitute an ethnic minority within Pashtuns.
They live in the hilly terrain along the Afghan border, divided into various clans. Yusufzai, Orakzai, Afridi, Akazais, Mohmand, and Chagharzais are among them. Further north, in the isolated mountain areas of Dir, Chitral, more peculiar tribal populations can be discovered.
Main Differences Between Arab and Pakistani
- Even though Islam is one of the biggest religions in the Arab peninsula, not all Muslims are Arabs. Arabs are, once again, people of that ancestry. On the other hand, Pakistanis are people or citizens who live in Pakistan. Pakistanis are nationals who have lived in the country for millennia, adopting all of its ethnicities and cultures.
- Saudi Arabians wear a long garment called an Abba since the climate in that region requires it; covering one’s head is an absolute need because of the extremely bad and dry conditions. A salwar suit is the most popular garment in Pakistan.
- Saudi Arabia’s native or predominant dialect is Arabic. This language is used in both rural and urban areas. It may differ in accents in both cities and suburbs. On the contrary, Pakistanis communicate through various regional dialects of Urdu, the country’s main language.
- Arabs, like Pakistanis, are ardent about celebrating Islamic and local holidays. On Eid, there is a tremendous lot of enthusiasm and zeal. Aside from that, people like watching horse racing at regional events. In Pakistan, all holidays, particularly Eid, are celebrated with zeal.
- The line separating Arabs and Pakistanis has indeed been passed. The term “Arab” pertains to a human’s ancestry, whilst “Pakistani” denotes their country or passport.
- https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10067-009-1146-7.pdf
- http://demografia.hu/en/publicationsonline/index.php/demografiaenglishedition/article/view/925
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
What an incredibly detailed comparison of the two. I didn’t realize there were so many cultural differences.
I’m glad this post clears up any confusion. It’s important to understand the differences between these two terms.
I don’t see how this is important information to have knowledge of. Not really understanding the value in this post.
I wasn’t aware of the differences between these two. This was a very informative read!
It’s an interesting post, but I don’t think the differences are portrayed effectively.
This is a very helpful post to help clear any confusion between an Arab and a Pakistani. It’s very well explained.
Yes, great example of what differentiates these two groups of people.