STEVE INSKEEP, Host:
Sir, when was the last time that you saw Benazir Bhutto?
RASHED REHMAN: I saw her after 10 years. She'd been in exile and before that, we had not met for some time.
INSKEEP: Were you impressed by her presence and her station in the country at that moment?
REHMAN: So considering that she was showing extraordinary courage in going out in addressing people and moving around, and, of course, you know, she was campaigning for her party in this election that's supposed to be on January the 8th.
INSKEEP: Can you give me an idea of the response from around the country that you're learning around from your newspaper or other sources?
REHMAN: We also expect a strong reaction, maybe not immediately, but at some point, from areas of the Punjab where her party is strong, particularly Southern Punjab, and it wouldn't surprise me if we get similar responses from Frontier Province and Baluchistan, which both of which she had visited just recently as part of her election campaigning.
INSKEEP: And just 10 seconds or so, is Lahore quiet where you are?
REHMAN: Lahore has pockets of firing and there is one bazaar on fire. Riots are expected. There is a considerable PPP presence in the city. I think this is just the start. I fear that it will spread and increase and intensify.
INSKEEP: Rashed Rehman, good to speak with you again. Thank you very much.
REHMAN: Thank you again.
INSKEEP: You're listening to MORNING EDITION from NPR News.
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