MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 12: The Prime Minister of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, has claimed that there is consensus in the international community on the settlement of Kashmir issue in consultation with the Kashmiri people.

Addressing a press conference on his return from a foreign tour on Sunday, he said western and South Asian parliamentarians, politicians, academicians and analysts wanted a settlement through peaceful political means. They supported the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, he said.

Sardar Attique said he had suggested that the administrations in Muzaffarabad and Srinagar should be helped to work in coordination with each other for the good of the people.

While the Kashmiri politicians enjoy the opportunity of interacting with their counterparts across the divide, the administrations in the divided Kashmiri capitals should also be given an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing peace process, he said.

Asked about possible advantages of the proposed coordination, he said if materialised it could lead to grant of permission to intending trans-LoC travellers by the respective deputy commissioners on two sides. He said Kashmiris could act as facilitators of peace between India and Pakistan.

The AJK prime minister called upon the international community to persuade India and Pakistan to declare the state of Jammu and Kashmir a nuclear-free zone.

Sardar Attique supported free flow of trade goods between across the Line of Control.

He said he saw a positive message in the statement of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that the LoC should be converted into lie of peace.