Unknown gunmen have shot and killed a cousin of the ex-Afghan President, Dr Najibullah, in the western Pakistani city of Peshawar.

Police said the man, Mohammed Hashim Paktyanai, was shot outside his home on Monday evening as he was walking to a market.

Mr Paktyanai had arranged a gathering in Peshawar last month to mark the anniversary of the death of Dr Najibullah, who was killed along with his brother when the Taleban captured the Afghan capital, Kabul, two years ago.

Family sources say Mr Paktyanai had received death threats and was planning to seek political asylum in Sweden, where his wife already lives.