This study investigates the impact of terrorism on stock markets in SAARC countries during 2000-2015. An event-study analysis and fixed-effect regression technique are employed to assess whether the impact of various terrorist attacks on the stock market returns of 'highly affected' countries differs from that of 'less affected' countries in the SAARC region. This study has important implications for policy-makers in relevant countries to combat terrorism and build investor confidence.

The regulatory outcomes and how the various banks are operating in the economy have their significant impact on the overall banking system and in determining the firmness of financial structure. In the current study analysis, we have conducted this work to examine the relationship between the financial market development, bank risks with key indicators and their ultimate impact on financial performance in the banking sector of Pakistan from 2003 to 2011. For this purpose, panel data analysis has been performed and both the firm specific and country specific factors have been considered. The bank risk is analyzed in two dimensions of bank risk: first is capitalization ratio that measures the total amount of debt in company's capital structure (banks behavior) and second one is TEIR-I capital ratio which is the proxy used to compare the present level of risk based assets in firm's balance sheet. A conceptual model has been developed for this purpose and key findings being made. Stock market development and banking sector development is used to measure the financial market development of the economy. Core findings of the study stated that there exists significant relationship between financial market development in banking sector and financial performance with key indicators.

Purpose This study aims to examine how religion affects corporate innovation in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Firm- and country-level indicators are used to evaluate the relationship. The study's final sample consists of manufacturing firms from 41 developing countries across different world regions from 2014 to 2018. Findings This paper finds that firms operating in more religiously diverse countries with lower religious restrictions are likely to be more innovative. Furthermore, secularization stimulates corporate innovation in contrast to traditional religious societies. Interestingly, results also indicate that religion hinders corporate innovation by restraining its followers’ involvement in innovative activities under risk, which downgrades corporate innovation culture. Research limitations/implications This study used data from nonfinancial firms from developing countries; therefore, the study's findings could be generalized to other developing economies with caution, as economies operating at different stages of development can have different outcomes from the proposed relationship. The study findings are important for innovative firms, as they can take advantage by segmenting the population based on religious and atheist groups. Results also have some implications for developing countries to foster firm-level innovation through constructing effective policies and ensuring the development of diverse and free religious societies because such societal traits increase corporate innovation and are fruitful for national competitiveness and growth. Originality/value This study contributes to institutional economics and corporate innovation by exploring the link between religion and economic development through the innovation channel and analyzing the latest cross-country evidence. It is a pioneering work in empirical comparison of influence on innovations of different religions.

Real estate market and housing projects play a vital role in the economy of Pakistan. This study has been conducted with an aim to explore the relationship between project planning factors & on-time completion of real estate projects in Pakistan. Sample data comprised of 440 observations was collected through structured questionnaire from contractors, managers, engineers and supervisors related to construction projects. Confirmatory Factor Analysis has been used along with validity and reliability tests to conclude the significant factors. Through binary logistics regression, study concluded that various internal & external factors like “contractor related causes”, “material, labor and equipment related causes” and “contract relationships related causes” have significant impact on timely completion of the project.