KABUL - A number of Senators on Monday voiced concerns that additional items to the Kabul-Washington security pact were being planned for the agenda of the upcoming Loya Jirga being convened in Kabul.

Traditionally, Jirga's are only organized around a single item of deliberation, in this case, that would be the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that would outline the U.S.' continued involvement in Afghan national security affairs once the NATO combat mission ends in late 2014.

But the Senators, who are invited to participate in the Jirga, on Monday fueled speculations that the gathering could be used unexpectedly for deliberations over other sensitive issues, like the spring elections. They suggested President Hamid Karzai had ulterior motives for the Jirga.

"Meetings held at the Presidential Palace these days indicate that some other subjects will be put to the Loya Jirga, but I can't say anything more about it," said Senator Abdul Hanan Haq Wion.

Although any decision by the Jirga would not be binding as it was convened for "advisory" purposes, its results are intended to be strong guidance for government officials.

Previously, Afghan politicians in opposition to the Jirga suggested Karzai might use it to push through a delay to the April elections, prolonging his presidency.

The Senators gathered on Monday also said that Sibaghatullah Mujadidi, the current Chair of the Jirga, lacked the capability to oversee the event properly and warned that they would boycott it if a new leader was not found.

"I assure you that the Loya Jirga will only seek perspectives of the people on the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement and there is no other agenda for the Jirga," Pashaee said. "The Senators concerns on this issue are pointless."

He also that Mujadidi was only the temporary head of the Jirga and the formal Administrative Board to preside over the event would be selected during the gathering's inaugural proceedings.

Although the Afghan government has said that its primary conditions for the BSA to be signed is that it aim toward the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan and ensures the country's protection against external threats, the most contentious item expected to be debated at the Jirga is the issue of U.S. troop immunity.

Regardless if another issue finds itself surreptitiously on the Jirga's agenda, participants are likely to find themselves consumed enough with the decision to concede criminal jurisdiction over American troops or not. (Tolo News)