Habib Jalib, a former senator and secretary general of Balochistan National Party (BNP), was assassinated in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city on Wednesday morning, local TV Channel Express reported.

The unknown gunmen riding a motorcycle shot dead Habib Jalib outside his house at Musa Colony area in Quetta. The gunmen fled after the incident.

Jalib was shifted to hospital in critical condition where he died of wounds, doctors said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Police say the incident may be the result of target killing.

Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, has seen wave of target killings recently.

A large number of BNP activists and relatives rushed to hospital after they received information of the incident, said local sources, adding that the assassination may cause unrest in Balochistan province.