KARACHI: Pakistani shares ended higher on Thursday, with strong corporate results powering the day's gains, and the waning possibility of an opposition protest against the government boosting investor sentiment, analysts said.

The benchmark 100-share index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed up at 0.36 percent, or 121.49 points, at 33,767.95.

"Reports of political noise reducing after the biggest opposition party refused to be part of a protest against the ruling party helped the index close higher," said Hammad Aman, equity sales manager, Topline Securities Pvt. Ltd.

Better-than-expected corporate results helped companies such as Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd., Bank Al-Habib Ltd. and Attock Cement Pakistan Ltd. lead the gains, Aman added.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company gained 2.56 percent, Bank Al-Habib rose 0.69 percent and Attock Cement Pakistan closed higher at 1.95 percent.

Other index heavyweight gainers included Engro Corp. Ltd. closing up 1.49 percent, Pakistan Oilfields Ltd. ending up 3.03 percent, and MCB Bank Ltd. rising 0.57 percent.

Attock Refinery Ltd. and National Refinery Ltd. gained 5 percent each, due to positive corporate results and improved margins.

"We continue to look forward to the inclusion of Pakistan in emerging markets index as the most potent and virile trigger for the Pakistan market in general, which can potentially push the 100 index into uncharted territory," said Gohar Rasool, head of international sales at Inter Market Securities Pvt Ltd.

Traded volume stood at 121 million shares during the day, with traded value at Rs.7.56 billion ($72.3 million).

The rupee ended at 104.66/104.70 against the dollar, compared with Wednesday's close of 104.67/104.70

Overnight rates in the money market fell to 5.4 percent from Wednesday's close of 5.9 percent.