KARACHI: Amid strict security measures that included suspension of cellular service and a ban on pillion-riding for the second consecutive day, the 9th Muharram mourning procession ended safely at the Hussainia-Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar on Saturday evening.

A large number of people, including women and children, joined the main procession that began from the Shah-i-Khurasan Imambargah near the Nishtar Park, passed through its traditional route and completed the journey in more than six hours.

At Nishtar Park Allama Shahenshah Naqvi addressed the majlis.

Before turning to Mansfield Street, the mourners offered Zuhrain prayers on M.A. Jinnah Road near the Masjid-o-Imambargah Ali Raza, where the Imamia Students Organisation held a demonstration against the `genocide` of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Israeli atrocities on Palestinians and the US policy `to divide the Muslim world`. The demonstrators also demanded immediate recovery of missing Shia persons and raised slogans against the recent killings on sectarian grounds.

After passing through Preedy Street, Empress Market and Regal Chowk, the procession re-emerged on M.A. Jinnah Road. The processionenteredKharadar a little af ter sunset.

More than 9,000 policemen were deputed for security backed by Pakistan Rangers` troops. The paramilitary force also arranged aerial surveillance of the procession routes.