Denying any links with North Korea's nuclear programme, Pakistan has protested to a top US official over reports in American media on its clandestine cooperation with Pyongyang, officials said.

The issue of the Pakistan-North Korea nuclear programme figured during the talks visiting US Deputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley held with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and top Pakistan foreign ministry officials in Islamabad on Wednesday, senior officials were quoted as saying by the local daily Dawn.

"We protested the publication of such reports despite Pakistan's consistent rejection of these allegations," they said. "We have had enough and it must stop now."

When asked about Hadley's response, a senior Pakistani official, who was present during the meeting, preferred to be tight-lipped. "We are not saying much on that," he said.

Officials said there was "no special message" that the key aide of US President George W Bush carried for Pakistan.

They insisted that it was a routine get-to-know visit with no set agenda.

 Hadley also met Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and other senior officials.