In August 2004 he spoke strong words when warlord Amanullah Khan (militia leader) fought his way to within sight of the outskirts of Herat, against troops of Herat Governor Ismail Khan: "whoever is responsible for this breakdown and breach of security will be brought to justice," Ludin said. When in December 2004 president Kaarzai appointed a new cabinet and ousted some high-profile warlords like Mohammed Fahim, Sayed Hussain Anwari and Gul Agha Sherzai, Ludin said this takes Afghanistan to a new era in which people come to the Cabinet because they are capable of serving the Afghan people and because they are educated. But when controversial Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum was given a post within the government as Chief of Staff of the High Command of the Armed Forces, Ludin called this "a good thing, a positive one." On allegations of war crimes of Dostum Ludin said: "Let's not talk about that because that's a completely different issue." Also on corruption, Ludin has taken a tough stand. When two deputy ministers were sent to prison because of corruption, Lundin said: "It is an important decision and warning to those who want to misuse and misappropriate their official position." Lundin has acknowledged that criminals in national police ranks get cover from senior government officials. While working as press secretary in Kabul, Lundin helped interim-president Karzai with his first elections. "God willing he will hold onto (the predicted lead)" said Ludin to reporters in October 2004. When two UN aid workers were taken hostage Ludin informed the press of negotiations, saying, two weeks before they were released, that "a lot of progress has been made" and that, although the captors demanded the release of 26 prisoners, the government was prepared to do anything to ensure the safety of the United Nations staff members, who had been working on the Afghan presidential election. When a few months later Timoor Shah claimed he killed another hostage, Clementina Cantoni, because the government didn't meet his demands, Ludin dismissed the claim saying: "He is lying. He makes such comments in order to put pressure on the government." Three weeks later it turned out Ludin was right, when Cantoni was released by the criminal gang who captured her. As spokesperson Ludin said that the drug war was a top priority for the government, "perhaps more important than terrorism," but that he opposed aerial spraying of poppy fields by troops of the international community. In May 2005 US Officials warned that the American financed poppy eradication program was ineffective, in part because Karzai was unwilling to assert strong leadership.