due to his excellent advocacy and negotiation skills, he was given the charge of permanent representative of pakistan to the united nations, from july 1999 till february 2000 in new york. after completion of his duties at new york, he returned to pakistan as foreign secretary and served from february 2000 to june 2002. while serving in this capacity, inam-ul-haq’s performance drew the attention of president general pervez musharraf who requested him to join the cabinet, making him the minister of state for foreign affairs of pakistan from june to november 2002.