Mohammad Nabi Ahmadi, deputy governor of Afghanistan’s Kunar province, came to Peshawar for medical treatment but got abducted by unidentified gunmen. So far, the motives of his abduction remain unknown. The incident is reflective of a major security lapse on the part of the authorities concerned. Foreign dignitaries visiting the country for any purpose ought to be provided adequate security by the government. Considering that former governor of Afghanistan’s Herat province, Fazlullah Wahidi, was abducted in the same way in Islamabad last year, the authorities concerned should have learnt a lesson and devised a better plan for the security of all Afghan officials visiting Pakistan. Let’s hope that the officials look into the matter immediately and ensure Ahmadi’s safe recovery as soon as possible. At a time when the United States is demanding that Pakistan ‘do more’ against terrorist outfits and their ‘save havens’ in the country, such incidents will serve to only strengthen the US leaders’ argument. The government of Pakistan is trying hard to send out a message about restoration of peace in the country. Among other ways, this has been done by organising cultural and sports activities in big cities like the ongoing cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This is important but the country’s civil and military leadership must realise that holding cultural events alone won’t do to either restore peace in its true essence or to send out a positive image of the country. Until the outlaws continue to operate with impunity, no one will buy our claims about restoration of peace. The government has been negligent in its responsibility of ensuring security for foreign visitors. There have been a number of cases of foreigners’ abduction in the last one year alone. It is about time a proper mechanism is formed for ensuring safety of all foreign visitors. * Published in Daily Times, October 30th 2017.