Kabul Residents Concerned Over Armed Guards Wearing Civilian Clothes
Forty days after the Taliban Ministry of Interior’s decision requiring armed guards of merchants, money exchangers, and investors to wear civilian clothes, several Kabul residents have expressed concerns about the consequences of this measure. They say that the lack of distinctive uniforms makes it difficult to distinguish legally licensed armed individuals from suspicious persons, sometimes causing fear among citizens.
According to the residents, while citizens become alert upon seeing armed individuals in sensitive urban areas, the absence of a specific uniform for personal guards can lead to misunderstandings and even potential tensions. They emphasize that public security requires transparency and a clear mechanism to identify armed individuals.
At the same time, several military analysts have warned that the absence of a uniform that is both consistent and recognizable increases the likelihood of misuse of weapon-carrying permits. They believe that without proper supervision and precise identification mechanisms, some individuals could exploit the situation under the guise of being personal guards.
In contrast, the Taliban Ministry of Interior has stated that the aim of this decision is to prevent the misuse of military uniforms and structures. Abdul Matin Qaneh, the ministry’s spokesperson, said that wearing military uniforms was a serious violation, and that police uniforms and identities are exclusive to police forces. He added that specific uniforms for guards of merchants might be designed in the future.
However, critics argue that the Taliban administration should have defined a clear and practical framework for identifying personal guards before implementing such a decision. They believe that while maintaining order in the use of military clothing is important, ignoring public security concerns can reduce public trust, requiring officials to review and respond accordingly.
