The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended the week on a flattish note, with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing 46 points, or 0.09pc, by the close of Friday’s trading session to reach 48,971.05.

Volumes were led by commercial banks, engineering, and power generation and distribution scrips as the benchmark index turned red in the last hour of trading.

Ahsan Mehanti, analyst at Arif Habib Corp, said that stocks closed lower amid pressure in banking sector as investors awaited SBP key policy rate decisions tomorrow.

"Investor interest remained in selected cement, auto and engineering sector stocks on likely gains in CPEC projects," Mehanti added.

"Concerns for weak global crude prices, falling exports and coverage issues at PSX also played a catalyst role in the bearish close."

124.5 million shares of indexed stocks changed hands in the session, with a total worth of nearly Rs6.9 billion.

Stocks of 372 companies were traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, of which 196 gained in value, 165 declined and 11 remained unchanged. Overall volumes increased by 11.3pc to 353m shares, while value decreased by 14.3pc at Rs11.3bn.

Volumes were led by:

1. K-Electric Ltd.: 42.4m shares traded [+3.45pc];

2. Bank Of Punjab: 35.7m shares traded [+5.67pc];

3. Aisha Steel Mill: 28.8m shares traded [+4.97pc];

4. Azgard Nine: 28.6m shares traded [+6.80pc]; and,

5. Kohinoor Spinning: 18.8m shares traded [+13.08pc].