KARACHI: Pakistani stocks ended lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark 100-share index of the Karachi Stock Exchange closing down 0.60 percent, or 196.87 points, at 32,510.35.

Activity was slow as investors remained sidelined ahead of the unveiling of the 2015/16 budget on June 5.

The banking sector continued its downward trend, with Habib Bank Ltd. off 0.48 percent to 193 rupees, while chemical and fertilizer group Engro Corporation Ltd. slipped 1.19 percent to 281 rupees.

The rupee was barely changed at 101.93/101.98 against the dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 101.90/101.97.

Overnight rates in the money market fell to 6.50 from Monday’s close of 6.65 percent.