In 2021, Aghaaz was introduced as a groundbreaking model for premarital and marital counseling in Pakistan. Stemming from the Action Plan for Implementation of Recommendations Approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI), which mandates premarital counseling for marriage registration, this innovative counseling model employs a Multi Touch Point Sensitization (MTPS) Approach. This approach ensures comprehensive coverage by identifying and addressing all access points for potential or newly married couples. A holistic perspective is advocated, identifying various avenues for counseling and outlining appropriate next steps at different levels.

The development of Aghaaz was a collaborative effort led by the Forum for Safe Motherhood (White Ribbon Alliance Pakistan Chapter), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), and guided by the Population Planning Wing (PPW) of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination (MNHSR&C). Extensive primary and secondary research, consultative meetings with reproductive health experts, assessments with youth, and learning exchanges with regional countries practicing premarital and marital counseling informed the model’s development.

Aghaaz offers a range of resource materials tailored for use by educational institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to meet the counseling and information needs of young people. Additionally, a pioneering web portal (www.aghaaz.com.pk) and mobile app have been developed to provide comprehensive access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information. The portal and app aim to equip young people with essential knowledge for marriage, covering topics from premarital screening to building healthy relationships with their partners.