ISLAMABAD: The twin cities on Monday celebrated the 70th Independence Day with national zeal and solemnity. The day began with special prayers in the mosques for unity, solidarity and prosperity of the country. President Mamnoon Hussain hoisted the national flag in a dignified ceremony held to mark the celebrations of 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. The ceremony was held at the Jinnah Convention center and was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chinese Vice premier Wang Yang, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah. Speaking at a ceremony, the president said that they were hoisting the national flag to pay tribute to the historic struggle of the leaders of Independence Movement. He said it was a time to ponder over the long history of construction, development and stability of Pakistan. Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq laid floral wreaths at the monument of martyrs of democracy in Islamabad as part of the Independence Day celebrations. Special programmes were organised to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner. All the major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings to give a festive look. CADD: Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Monday that he was celebrating the 70th Independence Day of country with special children to make a statement that physically and mentally challenged people were a valuable component of society. He was addressing an event was held at the National Institute of Special Education to celebrate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. The event was attended by the students of institutes of special education and public institutes working under the Federal Directorate of Education. Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was the chief guest at the event. The minister said that the Independence Day was a time to reflect and ponder upon the past and make new resolutions for the future. He said that he greatly valued the patriotic sentiments of the youth of Pakistan and was of the firm belief that the new generation of Pakistanis would lead the country to heights of success. Throwing light on the sacrifices made by our forefathers at the time of independence, the minister said that it was would all should work with devotion and dedication to make the country a land of our forefathers’ vision. Dr Tariq said that the government’s resolve at this Independence Day was to eradicate the menace of terrorism, end loadshedding, provide respectable jobs to the youth and spread education through the length and breadth of the country. He informed the audience that five buses had been provided to the public sector special education and training institutes of Islamabad with a total cost of Rs 35 million. Two of these buses are with additional customised facilities for the physically handicapped persons. The minister also said that Rs 100 million had been provided for the renovation and physical upgradation of the educational and training institutes of special education under the Prime Minister’s Education Reforms Programme. Work on these institutes has already been in progress and will be completed within the next 2-3 weeks, he added. Earlier, the minister attended the flag-hoisting and cake-cutting ceremony with the children.