Private cooperative societies: LHC bars ACD from any action against members

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has restrained the Anti-Corruption Department (ACD) from taking action against members of private cooperative societies until September 21.

The court passed this order while hearing of a petition filed by Sheikh Sadaqat, general secretary of a private cooperative society, challenging the department’s ongoing inquiry against him.

During the proceedings, the prosecution contended that members of cooperative societies fall within the definition of public servants under the Cooperative Societies Act. However, the petitioner’s counsel argued that following a court verdict, members of private cooperative societies could no longer be treated as public servants.

He further contended that the ACD’s authority to intervene in disputes involving cooperative housing societies had already been nullified. The counsel requested the court to quash the ongoing inquiry against the petitioner, terming it an exercise beyond the department’s jurisdiction. The court restrained the ACD from taking action against members of private cooperative societies until September 21.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026