Abdur Rahim began his political activism in Pakistan Movement,[4] serving as its activist in East Bengal.

[4] His father, Justice Abdur Rahim also had served as a senior associate judge at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

[4] Abdur Rahim served as the Foreign Secretary under the government of Prime minister Muhammad Ali Bogra.

[6] In 1970, Abdur Rahim along with Ghulam Mustafa Khar, returned to West Pakistan, telling Bhutto that the "meeting with Mujib was of no use".

[6] After the 1971 war, Abdur Rahim stayed in what remained of Pakistan, governing the Law ministry, Justice minister, and the Township planning and agrovilles.

[3] Abdur Rahim was then tortured by the members of the secret police, the Federal Security Force (FSF), and was thrown into jail in 1976.