Aug 4, 2025: In the presence of party president Mehbooba Mufti and other senior leaders, Rehman, a two-time legislator from the Kupwara district's Karnah constituency, was formally inducted into the PDP. Mehbooba Mufti praised Rehman for his longtime service to the people of Karnah in her welcome speech to the party. She also said that Rehman's joining the PDP will significantly help the party's efforts to promote grassroots voices and work toward a Jammu and Kashmir that is united, dignified, and prosperous. Kafil-ur-Rehman started his political career with the National Conference. In the 2002 elections, he won the Karnah Assembly seat, which marked the beginning of his first term as MLA. In 2008, he defeated Ab Rehman Bhadana of the J&K Awami National Conference (JKANC) to win reelection, and he went on to win a second term. Mehbooba Mufti stated, "Kafil-ur-Rehman's decision to join the PDP reflects our shared commitment to empowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir," when she addressed the gathering. His experience as a two-time MLA and his dedication to public service will greatly strengthen our mission to tackle regional challenges and promote inclusive development. It is an honor to have him here. “The people elected this government with the hope of resolving their pressing issues, but the focus seems to be limited to bureaucratic matters like the transfer of patwaris and the appointment of BDOs,” the former chief minister said in a critique of the current administration. She also said that the environment and mineral wealth of Jammu and Kashmir were being used for profit while a lot of innocent people were still in jail. She stated, "It has been almost six years since Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and stripped of its special status, but nothing has improved for the common people." She was referring to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In his address, Kafil-ur-Rehman expressed gratitude for the warm welcome into the PDP and reiterated his commitment to public service. It is an immense honor for me to join the PDP. My focus remains on serving the people of Karnah, advocating for their rights, and contributing to the vision of a prosperous and united Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Due to its close proximity to the Line of Control and its substantial Pahari population, Karnah, which is in the Kupwara border district, faces unique developmental challenges.