ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: Pakistan Steel (PS) is functioning at 97 per cent production capacity, meeting about 33 per cent of the domestic needs, said Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Abdul Qayyum Khan on Thursday.

Speaking to prominent manufacturers and dealers from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and NWFP region, he said optimum articulation in demand and supply would soon be achieved through three-fold expansion of the establishment.

He said excellent quality of the entire product-mix, internationally competitive prices and quick response through online arrangements would be the hallmark of all the PS commercial sale offices.

He promised to open another sale office at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Peshawar. In response to a question, Gen Qayyum said current increase in steel products was due to the unprecedented escalation in the costs of raw material and shipping charges in the international market.