Taliban plans to establish extensive surveillance network

The Taliban is in the process of developing an expansive camera surveillance network for Afghan cities, which may involve repurposing a blueprint devised by the United States prior to its withdrawal in 2021, according to a spokesperson from the Afghan interior ministry. This initiative aims to complement the thousands of cameras already in place across Kabul.

The Taliban's administration, which has publicly stated its focus on restoring security and combatting the militant Islamic State group responsible for numerous major attacks in Afghan cities, has also explored potential cooperation with Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei.
The prevention of attacks by international militant groups, including prominent organizations like ISIS, is a central theme in discussions between the Taliban and several foreign nations, including the United States and China, according to accounts of these meetings. However, some analysts have raised doubts about the cash-strapped regime's ability to fund such a program, while human rights organizations express concerns that these resources may be directed towards suppressing protests.
The specifics of how the Taliban intends to expand and manage mass surveillance, including their access to the US plan, have not been previously disclosed.
The mass deployment of cameras, with a focus on "key locations" in Kabul and other areas, forms part of a new security strategy expected to take four years for full implementation, as stated by Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.
"At present, we are working on a security map for Kabul, which is being developed by security experts and is a time-consuming process," he explained. "We already have two maps, one created by the USA for the previous government and another by Turkey." He did not specify when the Turkish plan was developed.
A spokesperson from the US State Department clarified that Washington was not "partnering" with the Taliban and emphasized that they have made it clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure they do not provide safe havens for terrorists.
In August, Bloomberg News reported that Huawei had reached a "verbal agreement" with the Taliban regarding a contract to install a surveillance system, citing an individual familiar with the discussions. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson mentioned that she was not aware of specific discussions but affirmed China's support for the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan and its support for Chinese enterprises engaging in relevant practical cooperation.