As an American who has been to Pakistan twice in the last 5 years, for me personally, this is the real image Pakistan:

Very conservative & radical Islamic society
Hospitable & emotional people
Very high rate of illiteracy
Has some beautiful mountains & scenic areas in the northern part
Sanctuary for many terrorist groups & known terrorists
Rampant lawlessness & corruption
Inept civilian government & cunning military establishment
Widespread persecution of women & minorities
Self congratulatory & attention seeking
Constantly desiring to achieve parity with its much bigger, stronger & famous neighbor

To sum it up – A country which has potential but currently has many serious issues.

(I have received comments from some Pakistanis who are assuming that I’m Indian – I assure you that I’m not. Also, let me make it clear that I have absolutely nothing against Pakistani people & I think that a vast majority of Pakistanis are good people who are just trying to get on with their lives & have nothing to do with terrorism. The current problems in Pakistan are largely due to some bad decisions & policies by its leaders in the past – especially by military dictators)