As for Iranians and particularity Nima, you'd find Iranians of all shades and of all opinions. Nima actually detests the Islamic faith hence his bias. Unfortunately, for him, though the Iranian people are a religious one and ninety-nine percent of them are Muslim (mash'Allah)-- of course, as in all countries, the majority of peoples are Muslim by identity alone.
Too many differences brother... I will try to be brief.
Pakistan and Iran are very different and the mentality of the populations is very different especially in the civic sense. As per the UN, Iran's infrastructure is better developed than both India and Pakistan and this shows. The rural parts lack much development. This is true for Iran but in a general sense they are comparatively more developed. For instance, Iranian cities are considerably much cleaner, better maintained and have much pavement compared to the larger Pakistani cities. This is true of the smaller cities in Iran as well. Islamabad probably represents a better model of Iranian cities except for that fact that Iranian cities look distinctively Iranian-- the architecture, the planning and etc. Iranian architectural history and values are more highlighted and even the most modern structures bear a traditional mark. This is most probably because of again, a difference in mentality towards civic sense, smaller populations in Iran and thus larger budgets for individual towns. But hey, the traffic and driving habits remind me of Iran!
A prominent issue in Pakistan is gun-control. Iran despite being surrounded by countries who have such problems and moreover surrounded by countries who have been in a state of war/conflict in recent history, surprisingly has no such issue-- except for areas bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan and some near northern Iraq.
Then another issue is some provincialism and ethnic nationalism in Pakistan. We have some of that in Iran but it's very minute-- largely in the eastern-most provinces. The overall defining identity is Iranian. I'm not sure of the extent of this in Pakistan. I only take what I hear from Pakistanis. There is a "Punjabi or anti-Punjabi" issue in some parts, am I right? This is funny to me because when in Punjab I noticed that amongst themselves, Punjabis aren't too united. Perhaps when confronting a non-Punjabi, I'm not sure. I'm not much aware but you have this "Mohajir" (those who came from India) thing in Karachi where MKM is pro-mohajir. Karachi is somewhat divided on ethnic lines I hear (entrance areas are Pashtun/Afghan?). Back to Iran, the people are generally fiercely proud (of their past, of their religion), and whereas they have a difference in opinion that might stun you, to the outside world/ external interests they are more united than what most people think. It might surprise you to know, we have more languages and ethnicities in Iran.
There is much corruption in Iran as well but from what Pakistanis tell me who have visited Iran, the corruption problem is more prevalent in the subcontinent. I do not know much so I cannot comment in this regard.
Anyways, the Pakistani nation is a very capable one indeed and the Pakistani people are very hardworking, especially the rural people but the government really needs to work as a uniting force, to me, for only a united Pakistan can progress, a divided one may splinter (God forbid). Pakistani people are quiet politically divided and I think the ethnic-nationalism is really to Pakistan's detriment. I just like to tell you though, that I really love Pakistan and that you have a beautiful country, some of your people need to understand what a gift you truly have. Peace!
