Bangladesh, July 16 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government is committed to reclaiming all parks and playgrounds in Dhaka's two city corporations as well as in other metropolitan cities from illegal occupation.

The move is to restore "child-friendly recreational spaces and a pleasant urban environment", he told parliament Wednesday.

While responding to a question from Lutfullah Hel Majed, a lawmaker from Mymensingh-8 constituency, the prime minister said most parks and playgrounds in the capital had already been cleared of illegal encroachments through eviction drives, while modernisation and redevelopment works were currently underway.

According to the prime minister, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has a total o...