WASHINGTON, Sept 23: President Pervez Musharraf has said he hopes his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday would lead to a 'visible' progress to the resolution of all outstanding disputes with India.

Several world leaders have hoped that the meeting would lead to an improvement in relations between the two neighbours. The White House also has welcomed the meeting as a step in the right direction.

"We hope to make a visible progress towards resolution of all lingering disputes when I meet the Indian Prime Minister," said Gen Musharraf. In his address to the Pakistani community here, the president also spoke about the issue of nuclear proliferators in Pakistan.

The president said it was unfortunate but true that Dr A.Q. Khan was involved in nuclear proliferation. "I pardoned him because of his contributions to Pakistan's nuclear programme. Although he was a national hero, he did indulge in this activity."

He dispelled the impression that Pakistani government institutions were also involved with the group that is described as the Khan network in the US media. "He did so on his own and no Pakistani institution was involved with this network," the president said.

"Now Pakistan has put in place a new regime to prevent individuals from exporting nuclear technology," he added. Going back to his meeting with Mr Singh, the president said he already saw 'positive indications' that the meeting would further enhance the peace process.