It might sound politically incorrect to some of his countrymen, but the former Pakistan cricket captain and a prime minister-aspirant has done just that.

Regardless, it seems of the RSS connection. Panchajanya, the RSS newspaper, seems to be coordinating the event. The ``Sindhu Darshan Abhiyan'' (or Visit Sindhu Campaign), is being run from the Sanskriti Bhawan in Delhi, from where the paper is published.

Home Minister LK Advani will inaugurate on August 25 the two-day cultural event, which will see classical singer Pandit Jasraj perform on the banks of the river which flows mostly through Pakistan.

The organisers applaud the Imran Khan gesture, rare at a time when official Indo-Pakistani relations are far from cordial. But it is not clear whether he had all the details about the ``Sindhu Darshan Abhiyan,'' which publicity material declares is for ``national integration'' and to ``salute brave jawans.''

Imran Khan, they acknowledge, has written a book on the river.

The programme includes unfurling of the national flag and felicitation of the highest ranking military officer in Leh ``as a mark of nation's respect for our brave jawans.''

Classical singer Pandit Jasraj will recite bhajans, a Mumbai group will perform a ballet based on the story of Sindhu, and a troupe from the Song and Drama Division of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will present folk songs and dances from across the country.

The Army will stage a light and sound show. An army team will also play a friendly polo match with the Leh Polo Club.

About 400 `yatris' will travel to Leh for the event, the organisers say. And they predict an impressive line-up of dignitaries at the function - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, Urban Affairs minister Ram Jethmalani and Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh.

Home Ministry sources confirmed that LK Advani will inaugurate the programme.

Explaining the purpose of the event, Panchajanya editor Tarun Vijay writes that Ladakhis often feel a sense of isolation because very few people visit the area. Sindhu, he says, stands for communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Sindhu, a symbol of India's identity, was also a ``lifeline for Pakistan,'' he adds. This was the reason why Imran Khan ``immediately replied and sent his good wishes'' when the organisers wrote to him about the programme.