The youth-led National Citizen Party (NCP) of Bangladesh, committed to fostering democratic governance and inclusive development, has taken a decisive step toward institutional strengthening by forming a “Search Committee” to identify and recommend qualified advisers. This proactive measure aligns perfectly with the party’s previously declared vision of assembling a team of expert advisers, demonstrating its dedication to structured, merit-based decision-making.In recognition of the need for seasoned insight and institutional wisdom, this initiative marks a significant step toward building a future-ready, reform-driven political platform.
The advisory panel will serve a substantive role in party affairs, shaping key policy areas, advising on internal reforms, and potentially leading future ministries, as understood from the Facebook post of Khaled Saifullah, one of the joint convenors of the party.
Khaled has given a list of diverse fields for which NCP is looking for advisers:
- Public finance and economic policy
- Agriculture, food security, and rural development
- Education and youth development
- Healthcare and social protection
- Climate and environment
- National security and foreign affairs
- Infrastructure, energy, and urban planning
- Election strategy and democratic processes
- Grassroots mobilization and party organization
- Digital governance and technology
He has also mentioned that advisers will not be limited to those fields; advisers for other fields will also be included.
Here, I would like to point out that NCP needs a dual-track advisory system:
- Party-Centric Advisory Council (NCP-focused) for party building: There should be group of advisers who will focus on making NCP strong, everlasting and winner party. They will observe and make suggestions about party affairs to build an everlasting, strong, smoothly run popular party.
Some essential advisers in this group are:
- Leadership adviser(s)– Everything falls and rises on leadership. Whether NCP will rise or fall flat, it depends on leadership. No one is a perfect leader. And every leader has one or more blind spots. While driving a car, to look at the blind spot, we can have small mirrors on the side mirrors so that fatal accident can be avoided. Leadership advisers can be the mirror for the blind spots and save the leader and his party from big or fatal mistakes. Leadership advisers can also play role in recruiting potential leaders and train the recruited leaders to improve the level of leadership.If one or more l communication experts guide present leaders and help NCP to develop future leaders, NCP will be able to bring new arrangements (Natun bondobostho) easily in the party and national political culture.
Along with advisers for the party, every leader can have his/her leadership adviser(s) so that he/she can excel and avoid fatal mistakes.
- Communication Adviser(s)- Technically, the leader has only one task, that is, to communicate. Whatever a leader does, it is communication in one way or another. It is said that leadership is the function of communications. Many leadership experts equate leadership with communication (Leadership =Communication). The better communication skills, the better will be the leader in inspiring followers, manage conflict, solve problems, manage stress and have a balanced and healthy life. The better the communication skills of the party leader and the intra-party and extra-party communication system of the party, the better the NCP will perform in every sphere of politics. So NCP cannot afford not to have communication experts.
- Organization development adviser(s)– If NCP is guided by one or more organization development experts, then internal and external conflicts will be minimized, and NCP will run smoother and faster.
- Crisis Management Adviser(s)– NCP or its leadership may face crisis within the party. There can also be national crisis. Having crisis management experts to advise the party will not only help better management of crisis but also prevent crisis from happening.
- Conflict Resolution Adviser (s) –Intra-party and inter-party conflict is a must in politics. To handle conflicts, having conflict resolution advisers (s) will give an edge to NCP against other parties.
- Financial & Fundraising Advisers– so that the party can raise enough funds with transparency and public support , spend the fund effectively and manage it well.
- Grassroots mobilization – it is obvious why this adviser is needed for an emerging democratic party like NCP (already mentioned by Khaled).
- Election strategists- it is obvious why this adviser is needed for a rising democratic party like NCP (mentioned by Khaled)
- Legal & Compliance Advisers- to ensure the party follows election laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines.
- Other field-wise advisers, if the NCP leadership finds it necessary.
B. Nation-centric Security & Development Advisory Council for Holistic Nation-Building—Theoretically, NCP requires advisers for all development domains in this group of advisers. All development domains also relate to national security issues and are components of national security. For example, we need to develop our energy sector. But just development will not be enough. We have to ensure the security of energy production and supply. Ensuring energy production and supply is not an not only a development issue. Rather, it is a strategic and national security issue. We have to make a comprehensive plan, such as a plan that ensures a sufficient supply of energy and secures it in the face of any internal and external sabotage, trade war, and military war. If we see energy from only a development point of view, we might overlook the security issue. The Same applies to every sector, including food, water, environment.
Similarly, if we see good governance as a development issue, then we might not consider how bad governance can jeopardize national security.
If we appoint advisers from a national security point of view, they will work with a holistic attitude and approach rather than from a development point of view. Therefore, we should establish a council of national security advisers for the following, but not limited to, domains or fields, to ensure sovereignty, stability, and prosperity of our beloved Bangladesh. From other way around, If want to ensure national security, we have to ensure security in many areas. From that point of view, we better employ security advisers, not development advisers:
1. Political & Governance Security
– Strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law
– Prevention of coups, political instability, and foreign interference
– Countering corruption and illicit financial flows
– Election security and prevention of foreign manipulation
2.Military Security
– Defense preparedness and modernization of armed forces
– Counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations
– Nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare deterrence
– Border security and territorial integrity
– Military alliances and defense diplomacy
3.Economic Security
– Protection of critical financial infrastructure
– Prevention of economic espionage and sanctions evasion
– Food and energy security (supply chain resilience)
– Combating illicit financial flows, money laundering, and corruption
– Sustainable economic policies to prevent recession and inflation
4. Energy & Resource Security
– Ensuring a stable energy supply (oil, gas, electricity)
– Diversification of energy sources (renewables, nuclear)
– Protection of pipelines, power grids, and refineries
– Strategic reserves management
– Prevention of resource-based conflicts (water, minerals)
5. Food and Water Security
– Agricultural self-sufficiency and supply chain resilience
– Prevention of food price shocks and hoarding
– Climate-resilient farming and disaster preparedness
– Combatting food adulteration and contamination risks
– Emergency food stockpiling and distribution systems
– Water resource management (preventing scarcity and conflicts)
6. Health Security & Biosecurity
– Pandemic preparedness and response
– Prevention of biological warfare and bioterrorism
– Pharmaceutical and vaccine security
– Food safety and disease control
7. Environmental & Climate Security
– Disaster management (floods, cyclones, earthquakes)
– Climate change adaptation and mitigation policies
– Prevention of ecological sabotage (e.g., water poisoning, deforestation)
– Pollution control and sustainable resource management
– Protection of biodiversity and natural habitats
8. Social & Demographic Security
– Prevention of ethnic/religious conflicts and hate crimes
– Migration control and refugee management
– Youth radicalization prevention
– Social cohesion and countering divisive propaganda
– Protection of minority rights and cultural heritage
9. Cybersecurity & Information Security
– Protection against cyberattacks on critical infrastructure
– Countering hacking, ransomware, and state-sponsored cyber threats
– Safeguarding national databases and digital identities
– Combating fake news, propaganda, and AI-driven disinformation
– Strengthening encryption and data privacy laws
10. Information & Psychological Security
– Countering foreign propaganda and influence operations
– Media literacy and public awareness campaigns
– Protection of national narratives and historical truth
– Prevention of mass panic and misinformation
11. Cultural & Ideological Security
– Protection of national heritage and historical sites
– Countering foreign cultural infiltration
– Media integrity and prevention of ideological extremism
– Education system resilience against propaganda
12.Technological & Industrial Security
– Protection of intellectual property and R&D theft
– Securing critical manufacturing and supply chains
– AI governance and ethical tech development
– Space security (satellite protection, anti-satellite threats)
– Semiconductor and advanced tech supply chain security
13. Maritime & Aviation Security
– Naval defense and anti-piracy operations
– Port and shipping lane security
– Airspace control and anti-hijacking measures
– Prevention of smuggling and illegal trafficking
– Search and rescue operations (SAR)
14.Transportation & Infrastructure Security
– Protection of railways, highways, and bridges
– Airport and seaport security
– Mass transit safety (metro, buses)
– Smart city security and IoT protection
– Resilience against sabotage and terrorist attacks
15. Financial & Trade Security
– Protection of banking systems from cyber threats
– Prevention of economic sanctions evasion
– Trade route security (e.g., Silk Road, shipping lanes)
– Foreign investment screening for national interest
– Combating counterfeit currency and financial fraud
16. Intelligence & Counterintelligence
– Signals intelligence (SIGINT) and surveillance
– Human intelligence (HUMINT) and undercover operations
– Prevention of foreign espionage and insider threats
– Open-source intelligence (OSINT) monitoring
– Covert operations and strategic deception
17. Space & Satellite Security
– Protection of satellite communications
– Prevention of anti-satellite (ASAT) threats
– Space debris management
– Military and civilian space program security
18. Information & Psychological Security
– Countering foreign propaganda and influence operations
– Media literacy and public awareness campaigns
– Protection of national narratives and historical truth
– Prevention of mass panic and misinformation
19. Financial & Anti-Money Laundering Security
– Combating illicit financial flows and terror financing
– Sanctions enforcement and economic warfare defense
– Banking sector stability and fraud prevention
– Cryptocurrency regulation and monitoring
20. Geopolitical & Diplomatic Security
– Alliances and defense partnerships
– Prevention of foreign interference in domestic affairs
– Strategic diplomacy and conflict resolution
– Economic sanctions and trade warfare preparedness
Critical Need: NCP must have an adviser for Scientific Advancement: Science & Technology Advancement Adviser(s)
The National Citizen Party must appoint an “Adviser for the scientific advancement” of the country to lead the science and technology ministry if they form government. The focus of the “Adviser for Scientific advancement” will be to drive scientific and technological innovation in all our research institutes and universities. This role is foundational to achieving our security and development objectives, as every national priority – from food security to military modernization – depends on cutting-edge research and innovation.
In whatever field we want to ensure development and achieve security, we need to be advanced in research and innovation in that field. For that, we need the relevant research institute and university to perform optimally. For example, to produce sufficient food and ensure food security, we need our agriculture and food-related research institutes and university departments to excel in research and innovation. The same applies to economic security, energy security, water security, environmental security, health security, military security, and you name it. Thus, we need all our research institutes to excel in their field. We cannot achieve the security or desired national development if we are not advanced in scientific, social, and technological research and innovation in every domain of development, from food to energy, to environment, to health, to social and cultural, and political and military security. So, NCP must have an adviser for scientific advancement who will be well prepared to make all our research institutes and universities utilize their full potential to optimize the use of our natural resources, recover and develop new resources (products and technologies) if the party forms government.
We have to remember “ A nation that lags in science lags in security, prosperity, and sovereignty.” Moreover, Scientific and Technological advancement is one of the eight priorities of NCP. So, advisers for scientific advancement is a must for NCP.
How can the advisors work effectively and impactfully?
If it is made obligatory that advisors must give a written report every three or six months, including observations about their area of advice, recommendations or suggestions, and pointing out emerging issues or threats to the leaders or political council of the party, and the party leadership ensure that they have read the reports – this will ensure effectiveness and impact of the council.
Conclusion:
NCP might not get suitable advisers for all fields, but NCP must find advisers for Leadership, Communication, Finance and Fundraising, crisis and conflict resolution for party building, and advisers for economic security, Food security, military security, Transportation & Infrastructure Security, and for Scientific Advancement for nation building.
N.B: AI – assisted writing.
