Having earned BSc. Agricultural Engineering degree from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in 1973, started his career with the Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) as Assistant Mechanical Engineer. During 1975 proceed to Canada for MSc. Agricultural Engineering. Upon return worked as Agricultural Engineer in Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) Multan for about 7 years before proceeding to USA for PhD degree in Agricultural Engineering. Upon completion of PhD degree, joined the PAD as Agricultural Engineer and Director AMRI Multan. During 2002 he was promoted as DG Agricultural (Field/Engineering). During the tenure of DG-ship, he also looked after the charge of the posts of Director Economics and Marketing for over three years and DG Water Management for about one year. During 35 years with PAD, Dr. Rafiq-ur-Rehman developed and commercialized dozens of low cost and appropriate farm mechanization technologies including; mobile grain cleaner dryer, self-propelled boom sprayer, bed and furrow shaper planter for cotton, coulter type stubble seed drill, dry seedbed sowing seed drill, self-leveling boom sprayer, sugarcane billet cutter planter, cutter bar type Kharif fodder harvesting machines, disc mower for Rabi fodder harvesting machines, compost shredder, air assisted boom sprayer, bhoosa baler, fruit and vegetable grader and flatbed grain dryer.

He helped farmers in farm mechanization and manufacturers in production of standardized farm machines and implements. During his service with PAD, he introduced culture of procurement of standardized items. He developed 100s’ of standards of Agricultural machinery, implements, lab equipment etc. He also developed several training modules and also provided training for capacity building of the departmental officers as well private sector stakeholders. He also worked as Executive Member (Administration, Finance and Coordination) in Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) for about 4 years. During this period, he worked with foreign consultants to develop “Supply Chain Project”. Under the supply chain project, he also arranged an exhibition at International Green Week Berlin, Germany where over 20 fully traceable food products were showcased for about 2 weeks.

He worked as Master Trainer of Solar Technology under ACTED/GIZ funded project through the platform of Technology Up-gradation and Skill Development Company (TUSDEC), Lahore. He also remained associated with Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan for about 4 years.

He is author of over two dozen research papers published in peer reviewed journals of repute, some having impact factor. Besides research papers he produced more than 50 technical reports and about 25 test reports.