The World Bank, which Pakistan approached for arbitration in the issue of the construction of the Baglihar hydropower project by India in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], has named a Swiss national as a neutral expert to resolve the dam issue.

The decision to appoint Professor Raymond Lafitte for the job was taken after consultations with the governments of India and Pakistan, the bank said in a statement.

"Professor Lafitte will be asked to make a finding on differences between the two governments concerning the construction of the Baglihar project," it said on Tuesday.

Both India and Pakistan have found Lafitte, a civil engineer and a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, suitably qualified. His findings will be made known in time. Under the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty, his determination will be final and binding, the bank said.

Pakistan approached the bank, which is a signatory to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between the two countries, for arbitration after failure of talks with New Delhi early this year.