In a bustling control center filled with dozens of TV screens, the Taliban's police force showcases its newly deployed network of 90,000 CCTV cameras, designed to oversee the daily activities of millions.

 In a packed control center lined with numerous TV screens, the Taliban's police force proudly showcases its extensive surveillance system—90,000 CCTV cameras now monitoring the daily lives of millions.

"We oversee the entire city of Kabul from here," says Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, gesturing toward one of the screens.

Authorities claim that the surveillance network is aimed at reducing crime, but critics fear it will be used to suppress dissent and enforce the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia law.

The BBC was the first international news organization permitted to observe the system in operation.

Inside the control room, rows of officers closely monitor live footage from thousands of cameras, tracking the movements of Kabul’s six million residents. Everything from vehicle license plates to facial expressions is under scrutiny.

"If we see groups gathering in certain areas and suspect drug use, criminal activity, or any suspicious behavior, we immediately alert local police," Zadran explains.

"Officers respond quickly to investigate the situation."

Under Afghanistan’s previous government, Kabul faced frequent attacks from the Taliban, Islamic State militants, and was plagued by high-profile kidnappings and carjackings. When the Taliban regained power in 2021, they vowed to restore law and order.

The sharp increase in surveillance cameras reflects the Taliban’s evolving enforcement methods. According to a former security official, before their return, just 850 cameras were installed in the capital.

However, since taking control, the Taliban have also implemented harsh restrictions on freedoms, particularly for women. Their government remains unrecognized by any other nation.

The surveillance system shown to the BBC includes facial recognition features. One screen categorizes faces by age, gender, and whether individuals wear a beard or a face mask.

"On clear days, we can zoom in on individuals from kilometers away," Zadran explains, pointing to a high-positioned camera capturing a busy traffic intersection.

Even Taliban personnel are monitored. At a checkpoint, as soldiers inspected a car’s trunk, operators zoomed in to analyze its contents.

The Ministry of Interior claims the cameras have significantly improved security, leading to a 30% drop in crime between 2023 and 2024. However, these figures cannot be independently verified.

Rights organizations worry about who is being watched and for how long.

Amnesty International warns that surveillance under the pretext of national security could be used to intensify repression, particularly against women.

Although Taliban officials insist that only the city police have access to the CCTV system—and that the morality police do not use it—many remain skeptical.

Fariba*, a young graduate in Kabul unable to find work since the Taliban’s takeover, fears the cameras will be used to monitor women’s adherence to dress codes.

"Many people, especially former military members, human rights activists, and protesting women, struggle to move freely and often live in secrecy," she says.

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over the lack of data protection laws regulating how surveillance footage is stored and used. The Taliban police claim data is retained for only three months, and the ministry insists the cameras operate under strict confidentiality.

The surveillance equipment appears to be sourced from China. The monitors and branding on the BBC's footage displayed the name Dahua, a Chinese company linked to the government. Although there were reports that the Taliban sought surveillance technology from Huawei, the company has denied any involvement. Taliban officials refused to disclose the source of their equipment.

Installing the vast network has also placed a financial burden on ordinary Afghans.

Shella*, a Kabul resident, told the BBC she was forced to contribute to the cost of cameras installed near her home.

"They demanded thousands of afghanis from every household," she explains. Given that working women earn as little as 5,000 afghanis ($68) per month, this was a significant expense.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan remains dire. Years of conflict have devastated the economy, and international aid has largely dried up since the Taliban’s return to power. According to the United Nations, 30 million Afghans require assistance.

Despite this, the Taliban have prioritized surveillance infrastructure.

"Families who refused to pay were threatened with water and electricity cuts within three days," Shella adds. "We had to take loans to afford it."

"People are starving—what good are these cameras to them?"

Taliban officials maintain that contributions were voluntary and relatively small.

However, both inside and outside Afghanistan, concerns persist over how the surveillance system is being used.

Jaber, a vegetable seller in Kabul, sums up the prevailing sentiment:

"These cameras are just another way to make us feel powerless."