New Delhi, March 1 (IANS): Zeal For Unity -- a unique peace initiative by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) -- has come on board for the 12th edition of 'Saanjh - Amritsar Lahore Peace Festival' to host a musical extravaganza which will have enthralling performances by musical maestros from India and Pakistan.

Saanjh is a joint initiative by India-based Punarjyot, an offshoot of Spring Dale Educational Society and Pakistan-based Rafi Peer Foundation.

Their coming together is all the more significant as both Saanjh and Zeal For Unity share a common objective -- to create cross-border cultural experiences that will inspire people from both the sides to foster peace and harmony.

Scheduled to be held on March 15 in Pul Moran, a heritage site on the Amritsar-Lahore road, the performance line-up will include Rizwan-Muazzam, Sain Zahoor Ahmed, Nighat Chaudhary and Lakhwinder Wadali.

Commenting on the association, Kirat Sandhu Cheema, director, Punarjyot, said in a statement: “Saanjh, as the name suggests is a herald of peace. It was conceptualised to promote interaction between people of the two Punjabs on either side of border by way of music, culture and theatre as we share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.

"We are delighted to have Zeal For Unity joining us in this caravan of love and peace which we believe will inspire generations to come to foster peace and brotherhood between our two nations."

Adding to this, Saadaan Peerzada, chief operating officer, Rafi Peer Foundation said: “The vision behind Saanjh Festival has been to celebrate Punjab, our mother tongue Punjabi, our traditions and our cultural heritage... This year we welcome Zeal For Unity to join hands with us and are happy to see Saanjh grow every year."

Zeal for Unity is a peace initiative by ZEEL, an Indian media conglomerate.

Calling the efforts by Rafi Peer Foundation and Punarjyot "commendable", Shailja Kejriwal, chief creative - Special Projects, ZEEL, said: "This association is another step towards bringing the people from both the nations together. We wish more and more such initiatives join our cause.”

Saanjh was initiated in 2004 when the need was felt by peace-loving people on both sides of the border to build bridges for cultural exchanges and to facilitate people-to-people contact as the best form of promoting universal brotherhood.