Shabi Haider, 27, an electrical engineer, is today engaged in talks with the family of a young woman who he hopes will soon be his wife. If talks fall through, he is not short of choice.

Courtesy of a TV show, Shabi has marriage offers from at least 10 other families.

Two months ago, Shabi made the bold move of appearing on a national television audience to tell exactly what qualities he was looking for in a wife. He said: "I was frustrated going to marriage brokers and asking friends. So when I saw an advertisement for the show, it seemed like I had nothing to lose."

As such, he saw Shaadi Online', the marriage show that is now among the country's five most watched programmes, as a "final chance" to sort out my life.

The show, run by a private TV channel, has already attracted a huge following and more and more people are turning to it as an answer to their marriage difficulties. Mothers of girls of marriageble age are said to be "glued to the show" when it goes on air Saturday evening. The show has been airing weekly for four months, nad has so far announced three engagements between couples who it brought together.

The first marriages are expected in the winter, when most such events are staged. Many other couples are in a "discussion stage" according to the show's producers, who are hoepful they will soon exchange engagement rings.

Guests on the show are greeted by a man-and-woman team of hosts reclining in a lush, 70s-style setting replete with swanky beige couches, puffy pillows and large swathes of red silk material draped along the walls.

The producers run a two-to-three minute video showing the guest at work and play, and interviews with various family members about their best qualities.

In the case of barbershop owner Karamat Ali, the video highlighted his ability to cook most Pakistani dishes. The hosts then ask guests for follow-up questions and field calls from viewers.

Interested families can e-mail or post messages to those who have appeared on the show, or call the production team directly to request direct contact.

"Viewer response has been amazing. People send messages just to congratulate us," says Shaadi Online director Shaqielle Khan. "It goes to show that our planning was dead on. Our nation really is a sentimental bunch when it comes to love, and when done right, a show like this has mass appeal."

The institution of marriage is serious business in Pakistan. More than 90 per cent of matches are arranged, and marrying for love is still widely frowned upon. Weddings do not occur before an arduous journey, during which families examine the heritage, education, class and outlook of candidates for compatibility.

The only other somewhat acceptable mode for finding a spouse is to visit a marriage broker who will pair you up with possible candidates.

But the service requires a down payment of anywhere between Rs5,000 and Rs10,000 plus a Rs15,000 to Rs25,000 fee upon marriage, rendering it unaffordable for most families in largely impoverished Pakistan.