SRINAGAR, MAY 19  For the first time, a Pakistani band will sing in Srinagar. On May 25, Junoon, the Pakistani sufi-pop band, will perform on the banks of the Dal Lake to an audience of over 10,000 people, among them President Pratibha Patil.

Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, J-K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Governor S K Sinha will also be present.

Says Karan Khosla, Director of Operations, South Asia Foundation (SAF) India: “Junoon is coming to perform on our invitation”. The Foundation has sponsored the Kashmir Study Institute at Kashmir University which will be inaugurated by President Patil. The concert is also organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Kashmir University.

“We are expecting dignitaries from every SAARC member country. There are several ministers and ambassadors who are going to attend these functions here,” he says.

The South Asia Foundation, a non-profit group, was launched by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh with an objective to forge regional cooperation and peace among SAARC countries through education and cultural interaction. Kashmir University has invited students from all the degree colleges and major schools across the Valley besides students from its main campus to attend the event and the concert.