ISLAMABAD: The first Hajj flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) carrying 328 pilgrims took off from Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad en route to Madina, in the wee hours of Monday.

According to sources, Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf was present at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad to see off the 328 intending pilgrims who would perform Hajj under the government scheme.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf was also present on the occasion and urged the pilgrims to project a positive image of the country by adopting good behaviour, staying disciplined and following the rules and regulation set by the government during the Hajj process, ?I hope there will be no mismanagement in this year's Hajj," he added.

Nine more Hajj flights from different cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, will depart today.

The month-long pre-Hajj flights' operation would culminate on August 26.

A total of four airlines including PIA, Saudi Airlines, Air Blue and Shaheen Air will participate in the operation.

Over 107,000 pilgrims from Pakistan are expected to perform Hajj this year in September.