LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) on Wednesday issued show-cause notices to MPAs from the Unification Bloc, DawnNews reported.

PML-Q leader and Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Zaheeruddin said it was illegal for the MPAs to first win the election on the PML-Q's ticket and then form a separate group.

He said that initially 15 MPAs were issued notices and added that if the MPAs fail to respond satisfactorily then the party will send references for their disqualification to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Earlier on February 15, the Unification Bloc’s identity was accepted by the Punjab Assembly speaker. The speaker also agreed to allot them seats in the house separate from their parent party and recognised Dr Tahir Ali Javed as their parliamentary leader.

The bloc had submitted to Rana Mohammad Iqbal an application signed by 47 MPAs on February 3, seeking a status in the house separate from the PML-Q and accepting Dr Javed as its parliamentary leader.

The step decreases the strength of the PML-Q from 84 to 33, as lawmaker Hamid Nasir Chattha has already parted ways with the party.