Washington: A World Bankappointed 'neutral expert' will release his final ruling Feb 12 on a disputebetween India and Pakistan over the construction of the Baglihardam on the Chenab river.

The dispute over the 450 MW hydroelectric dam in southKashmir involves water flows to Pakistan,which says the project violates a 1960 World Bank-brokered water-sharingtreaty.

The Indus Waters Treaty divided the Indus river between thetwo countries and bars Indiafrom interfering with the flow into Pakistan but allows it to generateelectricity. The Chenab is one of the rivers comprising the Indusriver system.

The expert, Raymond Lafitte, a Swiss national and professorat the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, was appointed by the World Bank onApril 20, 2005, to resolve differences between the countries regarding theBaglihar project.

"According to the provisions of the treaty, thedecision of Lafitte on all matters within his competence is final andbinding," the World Bank said in a statement here Thursday. Both sideshave said they will abide by the outcome.

"Lafitte will release his decision to representatives of thetwo governments Feb 12 in Bern, Switzerland and it was up to India and Pakistan to make it public," itsaid.

This is the first time since the treaty was concluded on Sep19, 1960 that the provisions regarding the settlement of differences anddisputes have been invoked.