KARACHI: Pakistani shares ended down on Monday as easing global oil prices and speculation about a hike in domestic natural gas prices dented investor sentiment, traders said.

The benchmark 100-share index of the Karachi Stock Exchange closed down 0.88 percent at 32,757.82.

Weak global oil prices were primarily to blame for the losses, said Mohammad Rizwan, head of sales at Topline Securities (Pvt) Ltd.

Major losers on the day included index heavyweights Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. and Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd.

“The news that the government is expected to increase consumer gas prices in January 2016 shook investors’ confidence in cement and fertilizer stocks,” said Rizwan.

Among the decliners were Lucky Cement Ltd, Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd. and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Ltd.

The rupee nded weaker at 104.65/104.75 against the dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 104.18/104.28.

Overnight rates in the money market remained flat at 6.25 percent.