CLAAS started in 1992, with the commitment to address the acute need of legal aid assistance, protection and settlement for the victims of religious intolerance (especially victims charged under blasphemy), human rights violations faced by vulnerable groups, such as religious minority’s women and children. Therefore, a group of concerned Christians along with few progressive Muslim colleagues encouraged Mr. M. A. Joseph Francis to start working for the protection and promotion of human rights and formed CLAAS in Lahore. The CLAAS operates and works at secular & ecumenical level and this incorporation is visible in the CLAAS board.