Bhutto was assassinated Thursday following a rally in Rawalpindi. In a CNN interview before she returned to Pakistan from exile in October she was aware of threats against her from extremist groups, including al-Qaida.

"I know the dangers are there and I am prepared to take the risks," she said in the interview.

Bhutto said, in seeking re-election, she was "standing up for democracy, moderation and hope for all the people of Pakistan" who she said are "poor, miserable and really quite desperate."

Bhutto said the execution of her father was one of the worst times in her life but she learned from that "one has to stand up for the principles they believe in."