The Supreme Court on Thursday announced its verdict on the suo motu notice on Karachi violence, referring to Article 17 of the constitution pertaining to the freedom of association. The Article 17 of the 18th Constitutional Amendment states:
1) Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality.
2) Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan and such law shall provide that where the federal government declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, the federal government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.
3) Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.
Meanwhile, Article 17 under the 17th amendment stated:
1) Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of a: [sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality. b:(2) Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan. c: [or public order] and such law shall provide that where the federal government declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, c [or public order] the federal government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final d [:] Provided that no political party shall promote sectarian, ethnic, regional hatred or animosity, or be titled or constituted as a militant group of section.
3) Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.]
e: (4) Every political party shall, subject to law, hold intra-party elections to elect its office-bearers and party leaders.
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