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Kokkar, who is at present Pakistan's ambassador in China, 'will return from Beijing around the end of July and will then take over as foreign secretary', Islamabad daily Dawn quoting a senior Pakistani foreign office official reported on Saturday.
The appointment of Kokkar, who had served as Pakistan's high commissioner in India, was seen as politically significant as he made no secret of his reservations towards India.
However, diplomatic sources in Islamabad said Kokkar's appointment was somewhat balanced by the elevation of Haq, who despite his strong views on Kashmir prefers to follow a more moderate policy towards India without compromising on Kashmir.
Kokkar's appointment was part of some major changes in Pakistan's India-centric foreign office.
While Haq has been elevated following Abdul Sattar's resignation as foreign minister on health grounds, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, who recently returned from his posting as Pakistan's high commissioner to New Delhi, has been posted to Washington.
Qazi would succeed journalist-turned-diplomat Maleeha Lodhi who is the current ambassador to Washington.
Musharraf had also appointed another anti-India hardliner Munir Akram as Pakistan's permanent ambassador to the United Nations a few months ago.
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