Since its early years Raasta has initiated and participated in several public service initiatives of which the extensive study on the interplay of formal and customary laws on women and men (1997-2003) stands out. The findings were disseminated widely both nationally and internationally and have contributed to many policy issues now being debated in parliament and being addressed through government and civil society efforts. The study was quoted extensively in international women's empowerment and human rights circles and acknowledged by Amnesty International UK, as being the most objective and most comprehensive study coming out of Pakistan on the subject.

Other public service initiatives have included humanitarian and fund raising campaigns for drought relief in 1999-2000 and for Afghan refugees in Balochistan 2001-2002. These efforts were encapsulated in Hisaar Foundation - a foundation for water, food and livelihood security, which became a separate legal entity in 2003, set up under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984, and is an approved non-profit organization under section 2(36) (c) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

As part of its continuing public service, Raasta provides support to Hisaar Foundation and is a member of the Karachi Water Partnership (an initiative of Hisaar Foundation). It also provides support to the Bookgroup, a research organization for initiating reform in the education sector.