The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed in the red on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing 365 points, or 0.79 per cent, to close at 45,634 points.

The index crossed the 46,000 points mark early in the session to touch 46,213 but lost ground to hit a low of 45,572 towards the day's close.

"Pakistan equities dropped again on Thursday after seeing volatile trading and dull volumes as domestic politics remained a dampener," said Elixir Securities.

"Market opened in the green and the benchmark KSE-100 Index traded in the positive territory until midday, followed by stocks plummeting amidst thin activity. Investors, mainly locals, traded selectively amidst anxiety over the political front." it added.

Nearly 74.5 million shares worth Rs6.57 billion were traded in the day. Shares of a total of 362 companies were traded in the session, of which 84 gained in value, 255 declined and 23 remained unchanged.

Commercial banks dominated the day's trading with 21.2 million shares traded while engineering and oil and gas companies followed with 17.4m and 15.4m shares traded respectively.

Volumes were led by:

1. Azgard Nine: 10.98m shares traded (-0.94pc)

2. Aisha Steel Mill: 9.59m shares traded (-2.60pc)

3. B.O.Punjab: 9.50m shares traded (-0.27pc)

4. Pak Elektron: 9.16m shares traded (-3.91pc)

5. Pak Refinery: 8.60m shares traded (+2.72pc)