TRADING on the Karachi wholesale commodity market last week was relatively slow as speculative forces loosened their grip on the price line and sold in part pushing prices of some essential items sharply lower.

The notable feature of the week was that both pulses and rapeseed led the market decline on active selling.

The steep decline in rapeseed, which had risen to an all time high level, was attributed to steady arrivals of new crop from Sindh markets.

Dealers said other destabilising factor was steady arrival of some essential items from upcountry trading centres and a substantial fall in local demand, mainly at retail level.

Much of the activity, however, remained confined to pulses sector, particularly imported stuff as some importers released large stocks fearing strict steps by the government against hoarding.

They said prices of essential items, during the last couple of months, had risen to record levels and still stood at peak level despite government