They also denied putting pressure on Khaleda and her sons to leave the country or having any understanding with them in this regard.

"There is no plan or pressure from the government side to send them abroad," Communications Adviser M A Matin said while talking to journalists at his office.

"You know, we are bringing many reforms in the political system but till this moment there have been no discussion or decision under the reform programme on whether the two leaders will stay home or go abroad," Matin said when asked about the fate of Khaleda and Hasina.

Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein said, "There is no initiative from the government to send any political leader abroad."

"Political reforms are going on in the country, and if anybody wants to leave the country to avoid being jailed or punished, that is something different," Mainul told journalists at his office when his attention was drawn to reported government bid to send Khaleda abroad.

Matin claimed that he has no knowledge if Khaleda has agreed to go abroad. "I have just read it in newspapers."

Asked whether press reports in this regard are correct or false, the adviser replied, "I should not say all those reports are false as I have no idea about that."

According to newspaper reports, the military-backed caretaker government has started a process of sending Khaleda abroad and preventing Hasina's return home.

The BNP chief is now staying at her cantonment residence in the capital while the AL chief is in US on a private visit.

Khaleda reportedly agreed to leave the country along with her two sons. The joint forces released her younger son Arafat Rahman within 24 hours of picking him up. And a process is reportedly on for release of her elder son Tarique Rahman from jail as per an 'understanding'.

Asked whether any case would be filed against the two top leaders, Matin, who is also chairman of the national coordination committee for combating crimes, said, "At this moment there is no allegation against them."

He also said the government has no plan to debar any political leaders from going abroad.

"So far my knowledge goes, there is no bar in this regard."

In reply to a question Matin said Arafat was picked up by the joint forces for interrogation on some specific cases, and on the basis of confessions by some arrestees.

"A task force is working under the committee for combating crimes, and the case of Arafat was part of its job, " he said.

Matin had told journalists on Sunday that Arafat was arrested on specific charges of corruption, and that a task force would investigate the allegations against him.

The adviser said yesterday there is no bar to Arafat's going abroad but the question of Tarique's leaving the country does not arise as a case against him is pending with court. A decision about him would be taken on the basis of court verdict, Matin added.