--- description: The nation of 170 million is torn by many religious outlooks, class divisions and ethnic rivalries. Photographs by Alixandra Fazzina for TIME title: Pakistan Beneath the Surface image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [World](/section/world/) * [LightBox](/tag/time-section-lightbox/) # Pakistan Beneath the Surface by [TIME](/author/time/) May 13, 2009 4:00 AM CUT by [TIME](/author/time/) May 13, 2009 4:00 AM CUT The nation of 170 million is torn by many religious outlooks, class divisions and ethnic rivalries.Photographs by Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Intersection  A man disembarks a bus at a junction in Karachi. Though much of Pakistan remains peaceful and moderate, extremist groups have increased their influence on its politics, stability and daily life. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Crossed out  This sign, spotted in Al-Asif, advertises wedding services. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Highway  Two men cross the busy roadway in front of the Al-Asif apartments. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Night Traffic  Business is good at this street-side tea stand in Sadar City. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Watchful  Paramilitary Rangers equipped with high caliber guns stand across from Al-Asif Square. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Refugees  Pashtun women, forced from their homes by the fighting in the north, attend an all-female assembly at Chak Shazhad village. They live along with their children in crowded conditions with host families near Islamabad. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Night Life  A woman watches the karaoke at the Kamameshi Sports Bar in Karachi. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Housing Project  Al-Asif in Karachi has a reputation as a Taliban enclave. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Media Center  Volunteers monitor television coverage of the MQM, or Muttahida Quami Movement, a large socially liberal party, at the organization's headquarters in Karachi. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Street Action  An MQM poster hangs on a fence in downtown Karachi. The party battles its principal rival in Karachi, the Pashtun ANP, or Awami National Party, with graffiti, flags and placards. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Coffee Lounge  Karachi's trendy Clifton district attracts the city's young, hip crowd. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Alleyway  An Afghan woman makes her way through the tower blocks of the Al-Asif housing project. The neighborhood is home to thousands of Afghan refugees. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ### Flirtation  Two young people enjoy the music at a club in fashionable Clifton. Alixandra Fazzina for TIME ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7039114/pakistan-beneath-the-surface/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7039114/pakistan-beneath-the-surface/"},"headline":"Pakistan Beneath the Surface","datePublished":"2009-05-13T04:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T10:44:55.832Z","description":"The nation of 170 million is torn by many religious outlooks, class divisions and ethnic rivalries. Photographs by Alixandra Fazzina for TIME","url":"https://time.com/archive/7039114/pakistan-beneath-the-surface/","keywords":["LightBox"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"TIME","url":"https://time.com/author/time/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-lightbox/","name":"LightBox"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/archive/7039114/pakistan-beneath-the-surface/","name":"Pakistan Beneath the Surface"}}]}] ```