In order to maintain friendly relations with the neighboring Abbasid Caliphate, the new ruler offered to pay tribute that his predecessor had promised to Baghdad.
Muhammad fled to Zabulistan, then returned to Sistan, only to be killed by Ahmad's supporters.
Although Muhammad ibn Qasim had been defeated, Ahmad still had to deal with challenges to his authority.
In Bust and Zamindawar a Turkish commander named Toghan opposed Ahmad's authority, prompting the latter to send two expeditions against him.
Led by ‘Abdallah ibn Ahmad, the citizens of Zarang enthusiastically supported it.