Scenes from Pakistan

The government of Pakistan announced on Monday that it would accept Islamic Sharia Law to be implemented in its Swat Valley region, as part of a truce with local Taliban leaders. Militants had been demanding Sharia law, attacking opponents, burning scores of girls' schools and banning many forms of entertainment. Gun battles between Pakistani security forces and militants have killed hundreds, while up to a third of the valley's 1.5 million people have fled. A nuclear power with a growing economy, Pakistan's government is still struggling for control of the country, coping with internal clashes and terrorism, that can bleed over and involve neighbors and allies, including militant attacks in India, and excursions into Afghanistan - inviting U.S. military operations that follow the attackers back into Pakistan. Collected here are 40 recent photos from Pakistan, with a special acknowledgement to the artistry of AP Photographer Emilio Morenatti. (40 photos total)

Imran Zargul, 71, from the Pakistani tribal region of Bajur waits for donated food during a distribution at the Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Supporters of the Islamist political part Jamaat-e-Islami take part in a protest to show their solidarity with Kashmiris during an anti-India rally to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, in Lahore, Pakistan on February 5, 2009. (REUTERS/Mohsin Raza) #

Younis Khan, captain of the Pakistan national cricket team is bowled by Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara (not pictured) during their second one-day international cricket match at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan on January 21, 2009. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

A man holds two sheep on a motorcycle a long a road on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

Shiite Muslim worshippers celebrate the end of Ashura by pounding their hands on their chest during a procession in Islamabad , Pakistan, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. The holiday of Ashura is a time when Shiites remember the death in A.D. 680 of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, the event that led to the split in Islam between Shiites and Sunni Muslims. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A Pakistani vendor waits for customers as he holds heart-shaped balloons on a street in Islamabad on February 14, 2009. Valentine's Day has gained popularity in Muslim-dominated Pakistan recently. (Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images) #

Indian fishermen stand in a police lockup in Karachi February 6, 2009. Pakistani authorities have arrested 50 Indian fishermen and impounded nine boats for illegally entering Pakistan's territorial waters, a Pakistani security official said on Friday. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

Pakistani men watch a local film in a cinema in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Entertainers in northwest Pakistan face an escalating threat from Taliban-led militants who consider music, singing and other such arts un-Islamic. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A Pakistani man waits for customers at his photo studio decorated with film stars in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Entertainers in northwest Pakistan have been kidnapped and killed by Taliban-led militants, while others have fled, quit or watched work opportunities dwindle. Criminal gangs seeking to extort money are believed to have gotten in on the act as overall security deteriorates. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

Afghan refugees weave carpet at the Kochi refugee camp on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan February 12, 2009. There are two million Afghans now in Pakistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

Afghan refugee children play in the Kochi refugee camp on the outskirts of Karachi February 12, 2009. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

Thousands of local residents hold a rally against the ongoing Pakistani military operations, demanding peace in the region, in Barikot near Mingora, in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. Pakistan's military has vowed to reinvigorate its efforts in Swat, a formerly peaceful region where Taliban militants have gained ground during 18 months of fighting. (AP Photo/Sherin Zada) #

A Pakistani man waits next to his tools to be hired as a day laborer in a street in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

Muslim devotees light oil lamps at the shrine of Muslim saint Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore February 14, 2009. Thousands of devotees from all over the country were expected to attend the three-day festival to mark the anniversary of the death of the saint. (REUTERS/Mohsin Raza) #

A model displays a creation of Pakistani designer Shar during a fashion show celebrating Valentine's Day in Lahore, Pakistan on February 14, 2009. (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images) #

Hands reach up for free food handouts at the shrine of the Muslim saint Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore February 15, 2009. (REUTERS/Mohsin Raza) #

Tribesmen gather near a damaged bridge after it was blown up by suspected militants in a tribal area near Khyber Pass on the outskirts of Peshawar February 3, 2009. Suspected militants blew up the bridge, cutting the main route for supplies bound for Western forces in Afghanistan, Pakistani government officials said. (REUTERS/Adil Khan) #

Soldiers of Pakistan's paramilitary force guard a newly built bridge to lead a trailer truck with U.S. and NATO supplies into Pakistani tribal area of Khyber neighboring Afghanistan on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. A suicide car bomber blew himself up in the troubled Khyber tribal region after tribal police signaled him to halt during a routine check, government official said. (AP Photo/Qazi Tariq) #

Pakistani police officers collect evidence next to a U.N. vehicle rammed against a wall, where an American U.N. official was kidnapped, in the southwest city of Quetta, Pakistan on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. Gunmen kidnapped an American U.N. official named John Solecki and killed his driver in southwest Pakistan on Monday, police said. Solecki is still being held by a group calling themselves the Baluchistan Liberation United Front, who have threatened to kill him unless 141 prisoners were released by Pakistan. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt) #

A devotee smokes hashish at the shrine of Muslim saint Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore February 16, 2009. (REUTERS/Mohsin Raza) #

Pakistani police officers and media gather around the bodies of militants killed in a gun battle with police, at police headquarter in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. The police killed nine militants in the clash, and foiled an attempt to kidnap a person in the city, a police official said. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) #

Residents carry an elderly woman on a cot as they flee from an area in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley February 2, 2009. Caught between the Pakistani military and their Taliban militants, thousands of civilians are fleeing from fighting in northwest Pakistan's Swat valley. (REUTERS/Abdul Rehman) #

A Pakistani man and child ride a bicycle on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A Pakistani gunman is seen at the scene of a bombing in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. A car bomb exploded near the residence of a local government official, killing six people and wounding 12 others on the outskirts of the main northwest city of Peshawar, a police official said. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) #

Paramedic staff provides treatment to a victim of a bomb blast at a local hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan on February 17, 2009. A car bomb killed five people and wounded 16 on Tuesday outside the home of an official who was raising a militia to fight Islamist militants in northwestern Pakistan, witnesses and police said. (REUTERS/Ali Imam) #

Students of the Jamia Binoria Al-Almia seminary sit for the exams for religious scholars in Karachi February 1, 2009. Some seventeen hundred students sat for the examination this year. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

A Pakistani barber cuts the hair of a boy in a barber shop on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

Pervez Chachar and his wife Humera Kambo sit in a makeshift room in police headquarters in Karachi January 16, 2009. After falling in love and marrying without their families' permission, the newlyweds (from rival tribes) dare not venture out of the police station as they fear their families will hunt them down and kill them to preserve the families' honor. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain) #

A Pakistani man peels corncobs in a vegetables market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A displaced Pakistani child tends to his sheep near a makeshift camp at a secure location in troubled Swat Valley on February 7, 2009. Local officials said last week that 20,000 people had fled Swat recently. A lucrative tourist industry for Western and Pakistani holidaymakers after skiing and mountain hikes now lies decimated. Thousands of followers of radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah are waging a violent campaign to impose their extremist interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, beheading opponents, threatening detractors and fighting the government. (CHAND KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) #

Residents stand at a damaged school building after it was blown up by militants in Swat Valley January 26, 2009. Militants blew up a government high school, district officials said. Schools are closed for a winter break and no one was hurt. Militants have destroyed more than 180 valley schools, most of them for girls. (REUTERS/Abdul Rehman) #

Delegation members of Pakistani Islamist leader Sufi Mohammad from the Swat valley arrive to attend a meeting with government officials, political and religious leaders in Peshawar February 16, 2009. Pakistan agreed to introduce Islamic law in Swat valley and neighbouring areas of the northwest on Monday in a bid to take the steam out of a Taliban uprising raging since late 2007. (REUTERS/Ali Imam) #

Girls read at a school after schools reopened in Swat Valley February 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Abdul Rehman) #

Pakistani tribesmen hold funeral prayers for victims of Saturday's missile attack in the tribal region in Miranshah, near the Afghan border February 15, 2009. A U.S. missile attack killed at least 25 al Qaeda-linked militants in a Pakistani tribal region on Saturday, security and Taliban officials said, the highest death toll of militants in a single such strike. (REUTERS/Stringer) #

An Afghan soldier stands guard at the border with Pakistan near Nawapass village, Kunar province, in eastern Afghanistan February 6, 2009. (REUTERS/Oleg Popov) #

A Shiite Muslim worshipper flagellates himself with knives to celebrate the end of Ashura during a procession in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A Shiite Muslim worshipper receives medical care in a clinic, after flagellating himself with knives in a procession in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

People walk past a boy playing marbles in the street in Rawalpindi , Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

Pakistani Christians pray for civilians from the troubled Swat Valley in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

A Pakistani child looks on as women covered with burqas from the tribal region of Bajur and Mohmand agency wait to be registered at the Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. More than 200,000 people have fled the fighting in Bajur and Mohmand agency to camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) #

More links and information

Pakistan Makes a Taliban Truce, Creating a Haven - NYTimes.com 2/16

Pakistan - NYTimes.com Topics page

Pakistan - Wikipedia entry

Pakistani newlyweds live in fear of honor killing

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Very upsetting...

Posted by Cati February 23, 09 04:03 AM

This is real Pakistan its clear image is shown and can improve if we send it to people but Islam should not be written negative because this country made for Sharriat Laws which is demolished by the said Jamhurriat and looted the country and peoples of Pakistan...............

Posted by Suleman February 23, 09 06:25 AM

All you should do with these pictures, is observe and let them affect you. What you shouldn't do is read "Pakistan" and start a war in the comments.

Give old feuds a rest.

Posted by Brian February 23, 09 06:49 AM

Exelentes fotografias, especialmente las de Emilio Morenatti

Posted by Jorge cruz February 23, 09 08:17 AM

I think these are the most amazing pictures i have ever seen . i Guess living outside Pakistan makes you observe things differently .
I think its my responsibility to inform people around me about Pakistan so I shared these pictures with my friend in States and all of them loved it .

Very nice .. inform me if have some more of these . thanks

Posted by Hammad Siddiqui February 23, 09 11:43 AM

why are indians posting all kinds of hate filled messages towards Pakistan? This was supposed to be a picture thread about Pakistan. It actually just goes to show how obsessed indians are with Pakistan. Its quite comical really, that you spend so much time hijacking a blog to spread your propoganda. Making a couple of bollywood films is not going to make you a superpower, nor are you going to take back Pakistan, get over it and move on. Jeez.

Posted by mike February 23, 09 12:46 PM

Beautiful pictures. Lovely people. Ugly comments. So much delusion and denial on all sides. Peace!

Posted by jtm February 23, 09 01:33 PM

The first paragraph sets the context of Sharia law coming into force in Swat and instability and violence on the Afghan border. This is what these excellent photos are about. So why keep going on about it not being the whole picture about Pakistan? How could 40 photos show a whole country? It's not the intention.
For all the Islamic apologists here, can you not understand that when those outside of Pakistan read about beheadings, school burnings, the killing of school girls, and the hunting down and murdering of those who marry without patriarchal consent they see these things as barbaric and inhumane and dread the spread of Sharia law and this perversion of religion.

Posted by Rob February 23, 09 04:40 PM

Very unfortunate for Pakistan. Pakistan was doomed from day one of its inception. I feel bad for the people.

Posted by Concerned February 23, 09 11:02 PM

Okay, the first comment i read is about how things aren't that bad in Pakistan. I have a good friend from Pakistan and as he tells me thing sure as H*** aren't good there.

Posted by P_D February 23, 09 11:24 PM

If people looked at these pictures without the context of religion or culture or country, we would all see one of two things - the amazing resiliency of the human spirit or the sadness of human suffering. The picture of the militants lying dead on the ground - despite one's objection to their beliefs they are still someone's child, brother, husband, father. So their death is sad. As is the death they may have brought to others. So, no killing is just or justified. All children deserve a chance to have a good education and a good life. All people have the right to chose how they want to live their lives without anyone else's judgement. And all of us have the responsibility to love one another.

Posted by Armeen Irani February 24, 09 01:04 AM

To 167 / Haider / everyone blaming someone else in this otherwise intersting thread.

Your display of self centred arrogance speaks volumes of a typically uncaring and frankly selfish outlook. In Haider's case (167) - What has Israel got to do with with this discussion or this set of pictures? Let me guess... will you now brand me as anti semitic for pulling you up on this? To everyone else who is pushing hate in thei thread, I bet you are now wondering where I'm from and what I beleive in. Well, tough, I won't dignify you with that answer.

The real answer is why people write this kind of thing. Heider gives a perfect demonstration of nationalistic "poor-me, he did it first" attitude that excuses greed, violence - military action especially - in the name of defence (of faith / boarders / "freedom" - you name it) that creates these circles of violence. The same reasons being quoted from both sides of the "poor me" divide.

We all have it, and we all have to rise above it, no matter how painful.

Look at some of the great leaders that really made a lasting change such as Mandela or Ghandi, do you think they would have suceeded if they had taken up arms? They brought about the end to British Raj, and the collapse of Apartheid. Think about what that means to your own situation (I'm speaking to everyone here, East and West).

Do not let rehetoric control your world view. You have a brain, given by God, if that is your will. Do not discrace it. Use it.

Posted by Matt February 24, 09 04:10 AM

The pictures show the character of a nation of some innocent , some deprived and many lovely people and many ugly faces. . One has to see what has casted the ugliness in this nation. This is the side when you tow the American line. Had Pakistan shunned off the fist full of dollars from the Americans to help them fight against the Soviet incurssions in 1979, the situation would have been very different. Pakistan fought the proxy war for the uS with not a single US marine loosing his life . Millions, fought for America, then they were the MUjahideens. After the Americans abndoned them, they were fundamentalists, and now the terrorists.
As far the Indians are concerned, let them enjoy the good weather for the time being. Once the present situation gets worst in Pakistan , it is bound to spill over in India, with out any doubt.

Posted by A.Mughal February 24, 09 04:23 AM

Always great photos here! I love no. 14. great shot!

Posted by jester February 24, 09 12:30 PM

Nobody has the desire to kill Indians. It is the occupation that has been the bone of contention, since 1947.
Civilians have been under occupation & oppression for a long time.
(As a matter of principle two wrongs to make it right also because it does not change the reality)
Indians army has killed more than 100,000 Muslim civilians in Kashmir, so far. This is the truth, ground reality hard to avoid or ignore or dismiss, because it does denying it does not change the ground reality.

Pakistanis are only interested in doing bad to India.
It is not true.

Posted by cantonian February 24, 09 03:22 PM

I am concerned about the photo of the married couple hiding behind bars to avert getting killed by their relatives.
I hope somebody helps them out, convince their relatives to forgive them and, accept them because they are married & love each other & bless them.

Posted by cantonian February 24, 09 03:33 PM

I know that pakistan is not doing great but however pictures shown here depict only part of pakistan which is about 10-15 percent of Pakistan

Posted by Awais Sultan February 24, 09 11:57 PM

I second Angi's comment on line 101 and many others who share the same sentiment. We might change the direction of things if we can gather some more folks with the same views.

We need to stop feeding the hatred. Some people fail to realize that every small gesture or word counts towards building either love or hartred. Whether it's a comment or a bomb - hatred breeds hatred!

Posted by Stumbler February 25, 09 01:05 AM

look athe carefree boy in pic #38. Who cares!

Posted by anurag khanna February 25, 09 03:54 AM

These are fantastic pictures however I think Pakistan based photographers like Ali Khurshid (chosen as one of Time Magazine's people of the year in 2006) project a really balanced view of what Pakistan really feels like.

Posted by Syed Hasan Shahzad February 25, 09 08:06 AM

These images are so depressing. I don't deny that terrorism in Pakistan has wreaked much havoc, but there is also 'life' and happiness and good things in the country. This photo collection stifles that side by just looking at the negative and bleak. I'm tired of these stark negative portrayals of Pakistan.

Posted by Tamreez Inam February 25, 09 08:33 AM

I think its time for Pakistani people to think what they are doing with their country and they need to find their own solutions rather then going about crying for things that they can get on their own. Its time to wake up...change and move on.

Posted by Khan February 26, 09 05:27 AM

I have seen worse, like young girls pushed in to prostitution and women exploited at work and people sleeping in vomit due to nowhere to go, all this in UK and USA.

Posted by SP February 26, 09 09:09 AM

Pakistan has one unique record of modern times that no other nation can beat

The only country to allow a gangster, murdrer, dope dealer etc to become the leader of a country ... beat that USA!
you may not agree with what Ghaddaree is but one thing is for sure that he has been convicted and served time so he qualifies for the position, god bless the political structure of Pakistan as it is unique

Posted by Tariq February 26, 09 06:34 PM

Fantastic images, very real.............................

Posted by Abid February 26, 09 09:39 PM

There is no human soul on the planet earth who has not suffered pain, We belong to the same piece of flesh and blood, and yet we still don't hesitate to discriminate and degrade others based on such fake parameters as nationality, religion or color.... No one has ever gained anything by living his life so biased..
The photographer was amazing in his talent but biased in his thoughts, as Pakistan is undoubtedly a heaven on earth, Nanga Parbit, K2, Himalaya's are few such examples with a taste of hospitality and zest in the daily life/ And what he has shown is nothing but reflections of filthy brain who is eager to call this beautiful country as a terrerist state despite being the biggest terrorist itself....

Posted by Wanderer February 26, 09 09:55 PM

amazing life! keep it bro.....

Posted by agus February 26, 09 11:28 PM

" I have seen worse, like young girls pushed in to prostitution and women exploited at work and people sleeping in vomit due to nowhere to go, all this in UK and USA."
Posted by SP

This is just about the most stupid and willfully ignorant comment I've ever heard. Do you think there aren't thousands of Pakistani women forced into prostitution or abused and exploited at work? Just go to Lahore or Karachi. As for homelessness, why not try and count the millions of slum dwellers?

Posted by Rob February 27, 09 02:24 PM

hey guys Salam to all of you.
i am from pakistan and from trible area and ya nice photography really make me sad and make to write something.
sorry my english is not that good but i hope u guys understand wht i wana say.
All this going on there due to the list US issue that after Afghanistan they gona attack Pakistan and Iran and some other countries which really open the Eyes of the pakistanies trible people there and they scare the that they gona do the same with them as they kill innoicent Aghani and no i am not agreeed that muslim militants doing all this in pakistan some countries are in involve like (......) u all know which countries i am talking about to unstable My sweet sweet Country. they Just wana cash that unstabiliy in pakistan.we pakistani are not like someother countries to start blaming someone without any solid reasons so this is why i am not mentiong there names..

So the only solution to finish all this IF US leave afghanistan everything will be fine soon inshallah in both countries

Americans please Just leave us alone we are happy there all this happening to us coz of ur country.and all this happen when US attack Afghanistan
and they not able to arrest OSAMA there then they start pointing pakistan with blind eyes that Osama is hiding some where in trible area.OMG u Americans take so many lifes in afghanistan in search of OSAMA with vry good techinology in hand what about them and its shows what that who are the real terroriest and still u not able to arrest him and with Close eyes you saying that OSAMA is there somewhere. As i mention that i am From Trible area I never see any one like this F*cking Guy.u know on the basis of one Bad guy u can't blame someone religion and this is what our religion teachs us.

U know here in trible area what people think this is going to be vry new news to all of you. that OSAMA is American agent or something like that and american just wana Use him in order to control afghanistan and then Pakistan .so this shows that we not gona alllow him there as well....

Americans plz plz plz plz stop all this and ya i wana say something to indians as well that JEO AUR JENAY DHO okay.

@179 i love your comment MIKE this is wht i think about them
PEACE Tc and stay Happy and enjoy your life and
ZINDABAD MY SWEET SWEET PAKISTAN :-* we not gona let u down

Posted by omergul February 27, 09 04:19 PM

i think this is an accurate picture of majority of pakistanis. having traveled in pakistan i can say confidently that 70% of pakistan is shown in this picture.

however, people posting comments here if they are from pakistan represent
less then 5% of pakistan. and you guys all live in your cocoon of protection and privilege in cities with relative prosperity to your majority brethren pakistanis.

only when pakistani educated in pakistan or abroad accept pakistan for what it is and what most pakistanis live like, only then will they be able to understand and be able to confront issues and problems facing pakistanis in pakistan.

for starters, start telling the truth and reduce bribery in pakistan...
starting with the first person who asks or accepts a bribe today.

Posted by george February 27, 09 07:12 PM

"I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return."
W.H.Auden

God bless Pakistan, and the rest of the world. May we have the strength to destroy the evil groups who for the sake of power and wealth, spread hate and fear amongst mankind.

Posted by MKhan February 28, 09 03:19 PM

horrible.. just think about about the life there! think about the people!

Posted by Donald February 28, 09 08:26 PM

@Donald : "horrible.. just think about about the life there! think about the people"

In your dreams brother, despite all the chaos imparted by the West, they still have more life , courage and zest than the one's living in their furnished rooms with hopeless, guilty hearts and souls...

Posted by Ahmed Zoha March 1, 09 02:20 PM

Picture say - World need mercy

Posted by Mykola March 2, 09 02:42 AM

#11 amazing - can't help but smile along.
#13 common humanity - day laborer waiting for work to feed oneself, one's family. True, regardless if this was taken in Pakistan, France, or USA.

"Those to whom evil is done, Do evil in return."
When generations go by and self determination, freedom is denied.
It gets harder by the minute to look the other way, to turn the other cheek.
Let my people go.
--Kashmiri

Posted by Kashmiri March 2, 09 01:16 PM

AL-MIGHTY ALLAH bless and protect my beautiful Pakistan and my people in Pakistan. Ameen

Posted by Farrukh March 3, 09 01:28 AM

@ 179

It seems you do not have the real guts to show your name as some one Hamid or Akbar (as a true Muslim) rather u prefer to use an English name to write ur comment. And it seems you have some problems in eyes where in u can see only part of the comments here..

Posted by India my country March 3, 09 04:36 AM

the whole series is an eye opener for pakistanis but along with that i have clearly noticed an element of showing as if every thing in pakistan is a mess.
there are more than 180 million people living in Pakistan. showing only the bad side of a society and not showing the prosperous side if it is a clear biasness. and on top of that.. showing MUSLIMS as backward, opressors, cruel, and enemies to west is and in a small but grave comparison against christianity that they are all peaceful is such shameful act.
i believe religions dont have to anything with allthis.. this is all power game. some times Mullah, some times Military, sometimes Governemts, some times international nations especially usa intruders. india also is playing a big time part in the disastraous impact on pakistani culture and society.

Posted by Rationality March 3, 09 08:01 AM

I totally agree with #211 post...

The photographs shown above might be very high def. good quality pictures. But they fail to show what real Pakistan is. Naked children, women in burqas (veils), people struggling for food and to top it all an 'Afghan Soldier in full battle gear guarding his borders" as if Pakistanis are going to go into Afghanistan for terrorist activities are all the type of photographs which show that even with such a good camera and clear photographs the cameraman and the poster of the pics failed to notice the good in Pakistan. So narrowminded and biased approach.

Posted by Anonymous March 3, 09 12:35 PM

i really pray god that this country gets back it peace. and let it also develop like other country's there are so many other better things other than shooting, killing, bombing, suppressing women s fundamental rights etc etc . god bless you all with peace and prosperity.

Posted by raj March 4, 09 02:15 AM

i really pray god that this country gets back it peace. and let it also develop like other country's there are so many other better things other than shooting, bombing, suppressing women s fundamental rights etc etc .

Posted by raj March 4, 09 02:16 AM

These pictures touched my heart... I wonder if the people walking by the naked boy are so contented as he is??

Posted by Mahek March 4, 09 06:46 AM

touching moments.
excellent photography.

the comments exchange, however, between the pakistanis and indians is pretty disturbing.

my dear country is going through really tough times. we are facing the kind of crises which are threatening the survival of this beautiful country. Enough with the propaganda, India, you've already shattered the hopes of this country. What more do you ask of?

If anything, we want support and prayers. Prayers that the people of Pakistan will one day get united and combat the evil of terrorism together. The victory then, will be ours, only our. The positive effects, however, will reach out to the world. Pray for us!

Posted by mohammed March 4, 09 11:06 AM

Great Pics... I love it. Pakistan & the Pakistani's are the greatest nation all over the World, IF "WE UNITED", for our selves & our Nation.
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN. I LOVE U MY SWEET HOME LAND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

Posted by SHADOW March 5, 09 09:11 AM

soy chileno y no puedo creer tanta maldad hacia el ser humano.
soy un creyente de dios,pero el ver tama�a maldad al ser humano, no entiendo como puede permitir tanta maldad, descriminacion y muertes de personas que solo desean vivir en su pais no inportando en las condiciones que lo hagan.
Asesinos,mal nacidos,la verdad no encuentro palabras para expresar mi ira
hacia las fotos que estoy viendo.
Solo puedo decir que como llegaron las fotos a mi correo,que lleguen a todos los hogares del mundo para protestar o luchar para que esto no siga pasando.
Y si dios verdaderamente existe,pues que el castigo sea ejenplar........

Posted by victor eduardo halabi olave March 5, 09 03:51 PM

Beautifully taken pictures. I just hope you post another album soon showing the brighter side that ive seen there whenever ive visitied. From the beautiful KaraKoram/Himalayas in the Northern Areas (im a bit of a climber) to the gorgeous canyons in the west in Balochistan, and the lovely green fields in Punjab. This just seems a bit too gloomy for the Pakistan that ive come to know.
Anyway i agree with some of you here.... lets not try to highjack others pages please... Indians got loads of websites where u can go and bitch about stuff.... let this one be.

Cheers.

Posted by Raul Lapazia March 6, 09 04:08 AM

Thank you for the incredible pictures. I think it is so important for Americans and other westerners to see the human face of Pakistan. As an American who has been lucky enough to travel to Pakistan and get a glimpse first-hand of this complex and beautiful country ,I hope these pictures help people realize that we all have more in common than not. Everyone just wants to be safe, have work, raise a family and have a place to call home. Pakistan has many internal and external issues to resolve but I have faith in the intelligence, passion and determination of the Pakistani people to take their nation forward, to become a stable, peaceful nation.M

Posted by Claire March 6, 09 08:39 AM

these pictures deliberately portrays a singularly violent and scary picture of Pakistan.of all religious ocassions the Ashura seems to be particularly chosen to potograph since it would seem senseless and violent to a western audience. there is a lot more to Pakistan than this. watch this youtube video to see a more diverse picture of Pakistan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sbCBOVNG5M
this was made by a telecom company as tribute to the peopl of Pakistan which s why EVERYONE seems to be on the phone in the video :) but I still think it makes my point.Pakistan is not just what you see in the above pictures.
Moreover, picture 34 which states how the U.S missile attacks have killed more than 25 Al qaeda militants and seem to insinuate that the funeral is of one such militant is deeply flawed. these missile attacks have also killed hundreds upon hundreds of innocent civilians in Pakistan and the U.S has not stopped despite numerous demands to do so my the Pakistani parliament, and to insinuate that all those who die there are terrorists as the U.S claims(without any proof) is an insult to those hundreds dead. if their innocence is ever even acknowledged it is brushed off as "collateral damage".

Posted by madiha tallat March 6, 09 03:34 PM

die armen kinder....

Posted by Anonymous March 6, 09 11:05 PM

very nice work .go on

Posted by revinfotech March 7, 09 12:51 AM

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70711&id=690203201

this...is only a very small portion of what most of the Pakistan looks like....

Posted by Anonymous March 7, 09 02:54 AM

Cool pics, they confirmed that Pakistan is a place I never ever want to visit.
All that poverty yet money to waste on nukes.
Stay safe, sort out your crazies.

Posted by dave clarke March 7, 09 03:19 AM

Really picture,,are too good..

we can blame pakistan.. for all this .. some people make this place like this.. for their own greedy needs..

blessing from India..

Posted by Asif Khan March 7, 09 05:50 AM

India is slowly going to be Super Power. Many all over the world predict India to be a Genuine Super Power. Even Americam CIA predicts so.

Coming to Pakistan, Its a Failing state, soon will fall, Will Disintegrate.
Pakistan better stop Terrorism for its own Good and make peace with whole world.

Posted by Suresh March 8, 09 02:12 PM

Amazing pics, nice shot from the back door of Pakistan. Nice to know that, beyond all and everything, Pakistan is a country filled with intensity, despair and hope.

Posted by Liza Rosas Bustos March 8, 09 11:21 PM

These Pictures give me sadness About my Country .May ALLAH bless My Country

Posted by Sadaqat Ali March 9, 09 05:00 PM

really images are speaking thousand wprds

Posted by abuzar hamza March 10, 09 02:35 PM

I just don't understand when will Indians come out of this PakistanPhobia????

where ever an Indian goes he/she will go against Pakistan & defame it....wherever a Pakistani goes he doesn't even say anything abt Pakistan...why are Indians like this????

@227
Not all dreams become reality....Today USA is bankrupt...so are you because of them....wait for the NWO..then we will see who is super power...slumdogs will become superpower...lolz

Posted by Irtiza March 12, 09 01:48 AM

MY HOPES & PRAYERS R WITH THESE SOULS.

Posted by zeus star March 12, 09 04:51 AM

Take away religion....and all of these people probably have above average lives.

Posted by Mike March 16, 09 11:34 PM

Even though I am not Pakistani, I must say WHAT IN THE WORLD? I see Pakistan as a potentially beautiful country. The pictures are pretty and fabulously taken, but when will we see the good side of things. The bible says you should give encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ. HOW is this encouraging them? May I point out that this is NOT all of Pakistan! Anyway, this region of Pakistan has suffered too long because of governmental systems' policies that don't work. This is Pakistan's problem. Although we can help them, it's time for them to make their own decisions. After all, it is their govenment. Let them solve it!

Posted by Leena March 19, 09 10:37 AM

This set, while beautiful in its own regard, focuses too much on doom and gloom. It's like taking pictures of ghettos and trailer parks in America and labeling the set as 'Scenes from United States'. There is much more to Pakistan than the troubles caused by Taliban in the lawless north. Still, I very much appreciate the beautiful pictures shown here.

Posted by Majid Zafar March 19, 09 01:02 PM

touching moments.
excellent photography.

the comments exchange, however, between the pakistanis and indians is pretty disturbing.

Posted by KaShiF KhaTTaK March 21, 09 12:13 PM

Guys seriously, its really terrible however any country on the planet has its poverty, the United State's Goverment isn't the only one to blame here. Although it does take rather amazingly large attacks on the United States to get them to attempt anything. I'm tired of the world blaming America and I'm tired of America blaming the world. Its rediculous there is so much poverty throughout the world and people blame those who they believe deserve it the most. The United States goverment is wonderful but flawed like gee JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER GOVERMENT ON THE PLANET. I admit that I was born and raised in an American society that was very accepting of other's beliefs. However, blaming the USA solves nothing.

Posted by Sarenel March 21, 09 01:19 PM

I am an Indian. Yesterday I happend to watch about Pakistan Taliban, how Taliban influence in SWAT & FATA. It was Horrible. In the name of GOD they are blind to LIFE.

Posted by Bala March 25, 09 10:32 AM

ALLAH BE WITH THEM.....

Posted by Mariam El Walili March 27, 09 03:05 PM

I think the poor condition of Pakistan is due to its own politics. People are innocent, they are not given the best treatment for their propsper future. Hindu-Muslim issues are taking place. War had disturbed the economy. May god save them.

Posted by Manish S March 28, 09 12:04 PM

Slaam,
How are you?plz watch and send other peoples
Regards Rizwan.
rizwanbaig1@hotmail.com

Posted by Slaam Uncle March 29, 09 03:39 PM

We love our country, No matter how ever it is painted, Change will come to Pakistan.

Posted by Zohaib Cheema March 29, 09 08:56 PM

i love my country. um not in my country i realize my home importace. love u PAKISTAN

Posted by HASSAN April 2, 09 07:58 AM

Indeed prophecies of koran is coming true, the whole world is divided. The days of the anti-christ are near, he will lure people with fake promise, but ultimately the good will triumph over the evil. Who knows, i might well be OBAMA "the anti-christ".
After all he is eluding mass population across world from all walks of life, with a promise of change and other worldly promise.

Posted by Roger April 3, 09 12:42 AM

Very powerful. Thank you for these images.

Posted by REPuckett April 8, 09 03:08 AM

bad news

Posted by ridda April 10, 09 06:45 PM

no. 150 (Being well adjusted to a sick society is no indication of good health) lacks empathy. I live in Islamabad and I know that I can be a victim of a suicide attack at any point in time and at any place. But I also know that I can not let this fear corrode my optimism and hope in life. I move around fearlessly in my country, I dont want to confine myself to home, I dont want to fled away from Pakistan, and I know that the terrorism has taken decades to take roots in this region and there is no magic wand that would eradicate it in a blink. Perhaps someone would like to comment that I have adjusted well to the bleeding (not sick!) society but the reality is that I want to survive this dark period without losing sanity and hope.

Posted by Aysha Shafiq April 15, 09 10:22 AM

these pics r mind BLOWING.............HATS OFF to the photographers

Posted by M.Usman.Farooq April 15, 09 11:14 AM

Why you guys talking about India Pakistan War Pity Dark Future Sadness Terrorism and "Bechara Pakistan"... i dont understand why cant they see it as an Art as a Hope as an expression .... all those pics dsnt portray all of our society .... ofcourse...
Why cant they appreciate the effort for this cause ..... the photographs are beautiful and expressive and shows the sensitivity of the photographer and his quick eye of capturing the moments.... i feel so sorry for those ppl who connect everything to the future of our Country.....

Posted by ali ebhzad April 15, 09 12:45 PM

First of all AMAZING SHOTS!!!

But you know what it won't hurt anyone in the great "civilized west" to actually bring out the better side of Pakistani life and culture. sure it has been a very bad time for Pakistanis and the world deserves to know the realities of our country but don't you think it has become more about propaganda rather than just plain information? Losing peace in beautiful places like Swat valley (which was awesome when i visited it in 2006) is surely a tragedy but there are other sides to the story. I am a proud Pakistani and I know by experience that there is a lot more to Pakistan than just Extremism!!!

Posted by Zubair Khawar April 15, 09 02:43 PM

gd pic n shows the poor situation of bloody paki

Posted by indian April 17, 09 04:32 AM

its only the negative way ,and is only caused by the outsiders
our people is so innocent .......and about pakistan,let me tell you all one thing that:
PAKISTAN - 5th largest Gold mine, 7th largest Copper mine, 6th Most populous country of world, 7th with Nuclear Bomb, 6th Largest Army, 11th largest Wheat producer, 12th largest Rice; Still 40 percent hardly get food to eat! Still begging from IMF? What's wrong with us? Wake up PAKISTAN - join hands with PAYAAM for a prosperous Pakistan!

Posted by daniyal usman April 19, 09 12:48 PM

I have lived 23 years of my life in Pakistan, but I still don't understand why people infer the wrong things out of the right pictures. Besides, bulk of these images are from border areas with Afghanistan, there are 3 other provinces as well.

Posted by Mir Irbaz Khan April 21, 09 03:31 PM

Salam! I was amazed to see this site and work done by the photographers. Its is really a great job and i was compelled to leave a comment over it...
Keep highlighting the problems as well as good things in our society...
Asad
COMSATS ABBOTTABAD

Posted by ASAD April 23, 09 02:40 AM

photo the best, but life the people ....no comment

Posted by angela April 25, 09 06:34 AM

These pictures dosnt represnt the whole Pakistan. I can show some terriable pictures which I have taken in UK in York city, in Wales Cardiff and Manchester. India...dont talk about it...watch slumdog millioner...you would see how developed they are....if you wana see pakistan...click these links..
http://www.pakistanpage.net/gallery/main/gallery.htm
http://www.pakpositive.com/photos/
http://www.nationsillustrated.com/Pakistan/
and much more.....

Posted by Anonymous May 1, 09 12:03 AM

great pictures, some ridiculous comments though... this is Pakistan. Its beautiful and innocent but lets not pretend or deny that its really hurting, bleeding, scared and naked and cruel as well. And no ones to blame more than ourselves.
Heart breaking pictures...

Posted by Nausheen May 6, 09 03:20 PM

One day the pakis say we can take on any threat from India. Next day they lay down arms in front of a couple of dozens jihadis. How convenient. All the AId they get to fight terrorists is used against India. Taliban is just an excuse to get more and more money to keep India harassed.

Posted by MR May 9, 09 07:21 AM

if there is a child born in india and the woman is not so sure who the father is of that child,because she has slept with so many,
indians will blame it on pakistan, saying it must be a pakistani,s child..... easy target pakistan..

Posted by Ash choudhry May 17, 09 02:02 PM

I live in Karachi and have travelled around most of the country. These pictures are beautiful and say so much about Pakistan. True that there may be other countries with similar or worse conditions but that doesn't mean Pakistan is any better. The world is deteriorating and Pakistan is within that world. Even within Pakistan there are people who have unimaginable wealth but the focus should be towards creating equality amongst us humans. Why should poverty exist? Why should we amass wealth and let others die of hunger? If we are to act, we must act as a collective force.. Let there be no borders, no race, no differences...

Posted by Taha Siddiqui May 30, 09 02:51 PM

dese pics are gud enough but i think we should show da positivity ov pakistan to others not the poverty

Posted by Lt. Ali June 17, 09 07:47 AM

These are amazing pictures.

The British Red Cross has launched an urgent appeal to help civilians affected by the fighting in Pakistan.

Please help us to help them by spreading the word about our appeal page.
http://www.redcross.org.uk/pakistanappeal

By placing a link on your website - you'd be helping more people find out about our appeal, and helping us help more people in crisis.

Best regards
Brad Smith

Posted by Brad Smith June 18, 09 10:52 AM

Pakistan is where it is because it has for many years acted as the hired gun for the West. During the cold war it was from Pakistan the "Mujahadeen" armed and financed by the West was launched into Afghanistan to destroy the Soviet Union. For many years it has had India tied down militarily and economically because India had dared to act independently.

Come on Pakis it is about time you started thinking about your own country then of your villas and bank balances in the capitals of the West.

Pakis, you can do something good for a change. Let Israel know in clear terms that if they attack Iran, Pakistan will make available its nuclear weapons for Iran to hit back. This single act shall cut the umbilical cord with which it is connected to with the west and will make the rogue nation, Israel act in a more civilized manner. It will bring stability in the Middle East.

India is not your enemy, Israel is your real enemy.

If Iran is attacked rest assured you Pakis are the next target.

Posted by Asad July 9, 09 06:08 AM

Well....I respect everyone's views over here. But would like to say something...Well thats true we Pakistani shouldn't be comparing ourselves with Indians. I am a Pakistani and proud of being a Pakistani. I live in Ireland and I think we are no behind Indians, even its education or ability to achieve something. But the gas thing is, I hate when people draw a negative picture of pakistan and then start comparing with India. I bet you If you go to India and see what it is like there, you would say Pakistan is a far far better country country than India. You call Pakistan being the cause of terrorism or all destructions caused in India. lets be fair now, I know what we have done so much wrong, but look what India does, they blatenly try blame us for everything happens there. Few examples and you will know. Everytime there is a cricket match in india and they lose, what they do in ground, they burn everything, it still happens there. You still will see Hindu Muslims and Hindu christian fights there. Burning Muslims and burning christians alive, it still happens there. Can anyone tell of happening this in pakistan? We might have been killing ourselves, but i think we have never done any wrong to others. Everybody knows whatever shit is happening within the country, who is behind it, we ignore it and blame Innocent people. Well here Indians are right they can blame us, being a poor nation, because we have all the shithead politicians. They made such a lovely country a living hell, God curse them.
I am not a narrow minded persons, but when i see things happening with my eyes, Its hard to stay quiet someone saying pakistan a bad failed nation, while India a prosperous. I still can claim Pakistan despite all this is better than India. I bet you, go there and observe, you will come across rich, but you will come acroos more poor, who die on street with having no food. It happens in Pakistan too, but not this much.

Sorry if i offended anyone, didnt mean it though

Posted by Shahbaz July 17, 09 05:50 AM

Why the hell, pakistan should make it weapons available for irans, we have nothing to do with iran. Just be yourself and save your own problems, do not try to repeat the same mistakes like those of cold war.

Posted by Usman Butt July 17, 09 07:17 AM

What's so wonderful about their dirty life there when their own government could make nice paved roads and make the life there much better, instead of making them live like beast!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Shaylin August 6, 09 03:52 PM

ah
what a true picture of pakistan it is. i feel mixed emotions.sometime a wave of fear and danger ran through my spines and on some pictures i amused. it is one of the rare things that can't explain in some specific way.

Posted by Ikram Awan August 19, 09 04:38 AM

these are beautiful. I used to hate pakistaniies before when I was kid but realized later and the photos like these really helps to settle the dust.

Posted by Raj August 23, 09 07:07 PM

why these picture showes only poor and hungry pople, there of lot of beauty pakistan why its not being showed in this album, pakistan ia country of great ppl and country himself have lot off universal treaures
any way these are the only side of photo, just visist other side and see how bealutifull and good pakistan and pakistanis are
Long Live pakistan

and I LOVE My COUNTRY , Always Ready to Sercrifies my Self
sajid

Posted by sajid iqbal August 26, 09 08:30 AM

sajid coz you dnt care about poor people in pakistan.. LOVE PAKISTAN....

Posted by Anonymous September 4, 09 01:47 AM

What we see here is the results of attempting to use terrorism as a state policy. The problem with terrorism is that even though it produces good results as far as asymmetric war goes, no rational human will do it - he must be indoctrinated first. And so Pakistan set about indoctrinating its populace starting in the 1980's. Unfortunately, not all of them were content with blowing themselves up in India. Some set their sights on targets closer to home. And here we are today looking at these sad pictures.

The way forward is to give up terrorism as a state policy. Forget the moral aspects of it (nationalists are blind to morality), it's not even practical for Pakistan today. The self-damage it causes only increases the economic disparity between Pakistan and it's target (i.e. compares Indian and Pakistani growth rates), leading to increased disparities in conventional war capabilities. This negates the entire motive for using terrorism in the first place - as it is a way to compensate for conventional disparities.

Posted by Gshi October 7, 09 02:59 PM

Pakistan is in big trouble now because of Islam, a religion of oppression.Now its time to live India in peace and focus in development.You have a huge gap to filled with India.In India is where China was 10 years ago, then Pakistan lag behind 150 years ago behind India.Indians move anywhere in the world as scientist or IT but nobody thrust Paks because of terrorism and fanaticism.If Pakistan don't try to be modernize, it will me isolated.North American countries,Europe are blocking immigration from Pakistan. Maybe developing world country like Brazil.Chile could allow immigration but you guys speaks only English,Urdu and Arabic.Be peaceful,less fanatic and give your children better prospect with education and try your luck in Brazil,Venezuela.

Posted by Robert Lessage October 20, 09 02:27 AM

why u just past bad pictures here?
is there no beauty in Pakistan? why we always show bad view?

Posted by Mrs. Inam November 4, 09 07:50 AM