Is Pakistan Truly a Middle Eastern Country? The Complex Geography of Identity

At first glance, Pakistan appears far removed from the heart of the Middle East—geographically nestled in South Asia, bordered by India, Afghanistan, and Iran, yet culturally and politically often perceived through a different lens. Yet the question “Is Pakistan in the Middle East?” reveals a deeper, more layered reality shaped by history, geopolitics, and cultural crosscurrents. While Pakistan does not lie within the traditional confines of the Middle East, its strategic location, ethnic affiliations, diplomatic engagements, and shared regional challenges firmly root it in the broader Middle Eastern sphere.

This article unpacks the multifaceted dimensions that define Pakistan’s complex relationship with the Middle East.

Geopolitical Placement: South Asia’s Southern Gateway to the Middle East

Pakistan’s physical distance from the core Middle Eastern states—such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq—places it firmly in South Asia. Yet its western border abutthesprawling Iran and shares a short coastline along the Arabian Sea, making it a natural maritime and trade bridge between South Asia and the Persian Gulf.

The Arabian Sea, through which over $12 billion in trade passes annually, acts as a ribbon connecting Pakistani ports like Gwadar and Karachi to key Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Muscat. According to geopolitical analysts, “Pakistan’s schwag” — its geographic and logistical proximity to key Middle Eastern nations — makes it a vital regional actor beyond its continental label. The country’s long coastal alignment with the Middle East has underpinned vital energy routes, including proposed extensions of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that could link Gulf oil and gas directly to South Asian markets.

Even without formal elite discourse labeling Pakistan as part of the Middle East, its physical adjacency ensures it functions as a de facto extension of the region’s strategic ecosystem.

Historical Threads: From Empire to Independence and Beyond

Pakistan’s historical ties to the Middle East stretch back centuries through religious, intellectual, and imperial networks. The partition of British India in 1947 saw millions of Muslims, including scholars and traders, cross into the Arabian Peninsula—leaving enduring religious and cultural imprints.

Many early Islamic reform movements, including Deobandi and Barelvi movements, drew inspiration from Middle Eastern theological centers like Cairo and Medina, reinforcing spiritual connections that persist today. During the Cold War, Pakistan leaned politically toward the Middle East due to shared opposition to Soviet influence in Afghanistan and aid from Gulf monarchies. The 1979 Soviet invasion transformed this relationship: Pakistan became a critical logistical base for Afghan resistance, and Gulf states poured billions into Pakistan’s economy, infrastructure, and military.

This collaboration cemented a durable geopolitical partnership, defined by funding, migration, and strategic alignment that continues to shape bilateral ties. Notable scholars and clerics often cite historical pilgrimage patterns as evidence of intrinsically linked destinies. As one Pakistani Islamic thinker noted, “When millions from Pakistan complete Hajj in Mecca, it’s not just a religious obligation—it’s a living thread binding us to the heart of the Middle East.”

Cultural and Demographic Encounters: A Shared Identity Forged in Faith and Migration

Religious unity, spotlighted by the annual Hajj pilgrimage, dominates the cultural narrative binding Pakistan to the Middle East.

Over 3 million Pakistanis undertake the Hajj annually, a journey that fosters deep spiritual and social bonds with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. This pilgrimage is more than ritual—it’s a flowing network of kinship, charity, and mutual recognition that transcends state borders. Equally significant is the diaspora flow: millions of Pakistanis reside in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, constituting one of the largest expatriate communities globally.

Estimated at over 3 million, Pakistani migrants form integral parts of Gulf societies, contributing to construction, healthcare, and services while maintaining regular communication and remittance flows back home. Urban centers in Pakistan—especially Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad—show architectural, culinary, and media influences mirroring those in Middle Eastern cities. From star-studded malls echoing Dubai’s retail culture to TV networks broadcasting pan-Arab content, everyday life reflects a subconscious osmosis of regional trends, reinforcing a shared identity rooted in Islam, Arabic language motifs, and Sufi traditions.

Diplomatic and Economic Alignment in a Turbulent Region

Pakistan’s foreign policy navigates a delicate balance between South Asia and the Middle East, leveraging strategic partnerships while managing internal and external pressures. Diplomatic relations with key Middle Eastern powers are robust: bilateral summits between Pakistani presidents and Gulf leaders recur annually, often yielding agreements on trade, energy, and defense cooperation. Economic interdependence further deepens ties.

The Gulf is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner outside South Asia, and remittances from overseas workers—over $25 billion annually—represent a vital economic lifeline. Major Gulf investors also play a growing role in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications sectors. However, this alignment is not without complexity.

Pakistan’s mainstream foreign policy formally leans toward non-alignment, yet its security and energy needs often synchronize with Middle Eastern priorities. Water scarcity, climate vulnerability, and counterterrorism efforts increasingly align Pakistan’s agenda with regional concerns, fostering collaborative forums like the Islamic Development Bank and Gulf-push for regional stability initiatives.

The Limits of Geographical Labels: Why ‘Middle East’ Doesn’t Encompass Pakistan

Despite these deep linkages, Pakistan’s formal classification within South Asia—not the Middle East—remains accurate by geopolitical criteria.

The region is conventionally defined by the Arab world, bordered by the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Persian Gulf. Pakistan’s cultural outward orientation, while significant, is an evolution layered atop a core identity rooted in the Indus Valley and South Asian history. As political scientist Dr.

Aamina Khan observes, “Mapping Pakistan onto the Middle East oversimplifies a complex reality. It’s better to see Pakistan as a bridge—a nation shaped by multiple identities, with the Middle East as one of its most consequential neighboring influences.” This distinction matters in policy circles: while cultural and religious networks foster closer engagement, strategic decisions often remain grounded in South Asian geopolitics—particularly with India and Afghanistan. Yet, as global power plays evolve, Pakistan’s role as a regional connector may grow, blurring simplistic categorizations.

Ultimately, whether Pakistan is “in” the Middle East defies single-answer simplicity. It exists at the intersection of South Asia and the Middle East—geographically bordered by the former, culturally and spiritually entwined with the latter, and strategically engaged with both. This hybrid identity challenges rigid classifications but enriches the region’s tapestry with diversity, resilience, and enduring connection.