IRSHAD HASAN KHAN, C.J.- Through this common order, we intend to dispose of Civil Petitions Nos.
2257-L of 2000, arising out of a consolidated judgment dated 23.5.2000 passed by the Lahore High Court in Income Tax Appeals Nos. 297/99, 303/99, 311/99, 439/98, 472/99, 501/2000, 508/2000 and 511/2000.
2. Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, learned Senior ASC contends that section 50(4)(a) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 1979 (hereinafter referred to as the Ordinance), provides that where the total amount of goods supplied or of contracts executed in any financial year exceed fifty thousand rupees, or services rendered exceed ten thousand pees, an advance tax is to be deducted at the time of asking such payment at the rate specified in the First Schedule to the Ordinance and credit for the tax so deducted in any financial year, is subject to the provisions of Section 53 of the Ordinance, In the instant case, it is contended that in terms of Section 23 of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1925 a Co-operative Society attains the status of a body corporate, which falls within the ambit of the definition of a 'Company' in terms of section 2(16)(b) of the Ordinance, therefore, the finding of the High Court to the contrary is not sustainable in law.
3. Leave is granted to consider the above point. Since a short question of law is involved, these appeals be listed for hearing during the month of April, 2001 at the principal seat, Islamabad.
Meanwhile, no case is made out for interim relief.