Imran Khan: Narcissist or Compassionate
By
Memoona Sohail
(Clinical psychologist)
Background History
Imran Khan, born October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Pakistan, is a politician and former cricketer who became the first Pakistani prime minister to be removed by a parliamentary vote in 2022. He rose to fame leading Pakistan’s national cricket team to World Cup victory in 1992. Later, he entered politics as an anti-corruption advocate, despite facing corruption charges himself in 2022 after a falling out with the powerful army.
Born into an affluent Pashtun family, Khan was educated at elite schools in Pakistan and the UK, including Oxford University. He played cricket from a young age and joined Pakistan’s national team in 1971, becoming a permanent member in 1976.
Imran Khan’s cricket career peaked in the early 1980s, earning him a reputation as an exceptional bowler and all-rounder. He became captain in 1982 and led Pakistan to its first World Cup title in 1992, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest cricket players. After retiring, Khan shifted focus to philanthropy, experiencing a religious awakening and embracing Sufi mysticism. He notably fundraised for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore, named after his mother who died of cancer in 1985. The hospital opened in 1994, showcasing Khan’s commitment to giving back.
After retiring from cricket, Imran Khan became a vocal critic of Pakistan’s government corruption and mismanagement. He founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in 1996, but it struggled in early elections, winning only a single seat in 2002. Khan claimed vote rigging was to blame. He protested President Pervez Musharraf’s rule, was briefly imprisoned, and boycotted the 2008 elections.
Despite electoral struggles, Khan’s populist stance resonated with youth, and he continued to condemn corruption, economic inequality, and Pakistan’s cooperation with the US. He also criticized the political and economic elite for being out of touch with Pakistani values. Imran Khan's political fortunes rose in 2012-2013, with large rallies and opinion polls indicating his popularity. Despite an injury just before the 2013 elections, his party, PTI, achieved its highest totals yet, but still trailed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Khan accused the PML-N of rigging and led protests in 2014, which failed to oust Nawaz Sharif.
The Panama Papers revealed Sharif's family's offshore holdings, leading to his disqualification and resignation in 2017. Khan, too, had offshore holdings, but was not disqualified. In the 2018 elections, PTI won a plurality, and Khan became prime minister after forming a coalition with independent members. He campaigned on fighting corruption and poverty, despite accusations of being too close to the military establishment. Khan's political persistence and populist appeal ultimately led to his prime minister ship.
As prime minister, Imran Khan faced economic and foreign policy challenges. He inherited a balance-of-payments crisis, sought foreign aid, and eventually turned to the IMF. He improved relations with the US and Afghanistan by facilitating Taliban negotiations and de-escalated tensions with India after a military confrontation. Khan cracked down on militants and implemented some COVID-19 restrictions.
Opposition parties formed a coalition, accusing him of being a military puppet and calling for his resignation. Khan survived a vote of confidence in 2021 but fell out with the military establishment and lost key allies and party members in 2022. He was removed from office through a no-confidence vote on April 10, 2022, becoming the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted in this manner.
After being ousted, Imran Khan’s PTI made a comeback, winning 15 of 20 seats in Punjab province’s legislative elections. However, Khan faced legal troubles, including charges for threatening police and a judge, and was temporarily barred from holding public office. He was shot in an apparent assassination attempt and later taken into custody for lack of cooperation in corruption investigations.
Khan was convicted of corrupt practices and sentenced to three years in prison, but was granted a retrial and had his conviction suspended. Despite remaining in custody and facing further charges, Khan continued to push for the PTI’s return to power, and the party emerged as the largest in the National Assembly in the 2024 elections, although without enough seats to form a government on its own.
The story did not end here, people start saying unwanted and unrealistic words for Khan. He has been accused for division of country. He has been declared narcissistic over his vision, he got titled of arrogant personality, people threw all negative thoughts without clear evidence. They just know, if someone is doing any task out of there favor, or something change from others, they are mentally challenged. No, what you know about psychological aspects? How you can diagnose a person with they are not looking stable to you? If you are thinking this person is envious, selfish, and superior. Let’s explore few facts about psychology either he actually fall in category or not?
Idea; beyond his personality
What Lubna Jerar Naqvi explained about Khan’s personality. She tried her best to explain by 'Narcissistic definition’. She gave references of multiple psychologist who explained narcissism. Let’s read about her idea first, she elaborated that; The Economist recently referred to Imran Khan as a charismatic narcissist in an article discussing Pakistan's political and economic crisis. This label is concerning for voters, as Khan remains a popular leader with a large following. Despite Pakistan's dire financial situation, Khan's loyal supporters justify his words and actions, demonstrating his significant influence.
To understand the term charismatic narcissist, it's essential to define narcissism and charisma. Experts explain that narcissism involves an inflated sense of self-importance, while charisma refers to a magnetic and compelling personality. A charismatic narcissist, therefore, is someone who combines these traits, possessing a captivating charm that draws people in while also exhibiting an excessive sense of self-importance. This combination can make them highly influential and persuasive, even if their actions are harmful.
Experts define narcissism as an inflated sense of self-importance, entitlement, and obsession with oneself, while charisma involves a strong sense of self-regard and pride. Narcissists succeed at work by embellishing accomplishments, taking risks, and being good political actors, but lack empathy and are not invested in supporting others. A study by Harvard Business Review defines narcissists as individuals driven by arrogance and self-absorption, lacking empathy and having fragile self-esteem.
While some may see Imran Khan as a charismatic narcissist, it's essential to evaluate the mental and physical health, as well as moral and ethical standards, of all leaders vying for positions in government. Pakistan's constitution provides a precedent for removing the president due to physical or mental incapacity. Conducting a National Political Mental Health check could ensure leaders are capable of holding important offices and impacting the lives of millions of citizens.
Pakistan's Constitution should be amended to require mental, physical, moral, and ethical fitness tests for those seeking top positions, including the president, prime minister, and ministers. This would help voters choose capable leaders and ensure the country is run properly, rather than using mental capacity as a weapon to end someone's tenure.
Another, writer Hina khan Paiwasha wrote; Imran Khan, Pakistan's 22nd prime minister, was ousted in April 2022 due to allegations of economic mismanagement and foreign policy mishandling. Despite this, he maintains a large following globally, particularly among intellectuals, due to his charismatic personality and vision for a contemporary Pakistan. His government implemented various reforms, including the Single National Curriculum and Ehsaas Programme, which garnered international acclaim.
Khan's leadership style is characterized by grandiosity, self-promotion, and narcissism, which resonates with his followers who admire his audacity and willingness to take risks. His rhetoric on Kashmir, Palestine, and Islamophobia has global reverberations, and his followers see him as a larger-than-life figure who embodies their aspirations. Through a Freudian lens, this admiration can be seen as a substitute for self-love, where followers replace their own narcissistic tendencies with those of their leader.
Freud’s dark side of narcissism shows that leaders like Imran Khan become reckless and isolated, ignoring concerns and blaming others. This behavior leads to their downfall and self-destruction. Khan’s dramatic persona and refusal to accept defeat are classic narcissistic traits.
Khan’s effective propaganda machine reinforced his message, but he must recognize his limitations. Pakistan’s cultural taboo around psychological issues makes it hard for people to analyze their leaders’ traits. Khan must acknowledge his limitations and work towards a productive path to winning elections again, rather than repeating history’s mistakes.
There are multiple articles, journals, and descriptions for accusing him as narcissistic person. They explained these terms so well, but how this elaborated his personality? Is it really worthy to explain terms to call him by this narcissistic? Even if they think in this way, it doesn’t matter to anyone. Specifically, being a clinical psychologist nobody authorized someone to provide diagnosis or general traits. What evidence they predicted about Khan? Nothing, which will remain same according to DSM-5. Let’s explore some more about actual ‘Narcissistic personality’ and later the real khan within, reality.
What is Narcissistic personality?
Narcissistic personality disorder is a complex and nuanced condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. It affects 1-2% of the US population and has two distinct aspects: grandiosity and vulnerability. Individuals with the disorder may appear confident and superior, but also experience sensitivity to criticism, shame, and emptiness.
They may react to criticism with disdain, defiance, or social withdrawal, and may be competent and high-functioning or struggle with self-confidence and criticism. The disorder is marked by selfishness, deceitfulness, and callousness, and individuals may exhibit varying traits, from extraverted to socially isolated, and from successful to struggling. Narcissistic personality disorder is distinct from having some narcissistic traits. It’s characterized by inflexible, maladaptive, and persistent patterns that cause significant impairment or distress. Not all adolescents with narcissistic traits will develop the disorder in adulthood.
Compassion of Imran khan
Ethically, we cannot change wording of DSM. However, I am going to change wording of each criteria in concern of plagiarism. I will explain how ‘Diagnostic Criteria’ doesn’t meet elaboration of Kahn’s narcissism. When we diagnose a narcissistic person, there should be five present criteria within person. Let’s explore each of them.
A. If anyone has an inflated sense of self-worth (grandiosity), exaggerating accomplishments and abilities to appear more impressive or superior. Grandiosity, what people actually think about this term? May be just superiority experience from someone or may be a person who has self-confidence? What actually grandiosity means. It’s an unrealistic sense of superiority in which someone believes themselves to be unique and better than others, in multiple features of life. Sometimes, grandiose belief, let the person thinks, he is God and no other higher power exist. Nobody, can forgets his words when he said, “I never bowed down before anyone except Allah and inn sha Allah he will not let my nation down before anyone”. Where grandiosity gone here? People think he shows superiority, I witnessed him standing in rains with general public, normal dressing as nation, sitting with low privileged people, eating in local food points, and I saw him polite towards strangers who just came for greetings. I journalist wrote, “He didn’t offer me tea, during interview.” This isn’t debate here, why he did so, why he didn’t consider here that may be he doesn’t want admiration for being more nice or has humble, uninterested in grand gesture. He never appeared with huge protectors while in public, before murder attempt. Where his superiority went at that time? In, simple term we call it a person with insight and developed autonomy.
B. In, this criteria, person may be obsessed with dreams of being extremely successful, powerful, brilliant, beautiful, or finding perfect love without doing anything. Khan’s personality is beyond obsession. He just gave a view to see dreams, not to live for them. Previously, it has been explained, he wants to be extra successful and self-loved. However, he once said, “Compromise for your Dream but NEVER Compromise on your Dream.” I just want to ask, his hospital Shukat Khanum wasn’t enough to be recognized in world? His success in cricket is known in whole world. There are no expectations from his side to be well-known without performance. Brilliance was not his power factor, he is convinced that, “The more you study, the more you know; how less you know”. His personality is not depiction of narcissism.
C. Another, criteria is thinking they’re uniquely talented or gifted and can only be truly understood by others who are also exceptional or of high status. He is unique from every other politician, its not the matter of fact that he is narcissistic. Go back in previous time, and think of any politician who was fearless as he is. Nobody, can hit the thoughts of khan. His words are golden as his figure, “End your ego, think of nation”. Imran khan never wanted to be verified by higher authority, no-one can neglect his marvelous interview with English journalist. Who was convincing him to be agreed on compromise about Palestine, and Kashmir issues. This is term as non-conformity with people in psychology, minus narcissism. Person predicted as high-value personality. You still think he is selfish? “Absolutely-Not”. Never forget, what he responded him back.
D. Fourth criteria should be requirement of excessive administration. I still do not get the concept, where he demanded to be admired by every person of world. People say what they observe by their own thinking, but hidden aspects are anonymous. I have personally experienced, his non-admiration behavior. Our family visited hospital. No guards, no protocol, and no media was present to show others, as many politicians are doing. Aren’t they narcissistic? Khan was wandering in hospital to check patients alone. He was checking everything to confirm if his mission is not lacking, in any area. On his recognition, one of my family members asked to staff, “Is he khan here? If I’m not wrong”. He answered, “He always come anytime to visit, and doesn’t allow anyone with him”. What kind of administration people predicted? The administration he is gaining from heart of public. May be, yes! People who are getting free treatment are not in access of doctors. They are not aware, about finance department. Nobody, knows who came for curing. Khan made it equal for everyone. There is no debate about expensive medication. I guess every less treated disease need to be vanished out in better way, same as thought of people about Niazi. It cleared again, he needs no administration. He is being admired due to his thoughts, clearance of mind, and his autonomy.
E. Person must be addicted to entitlement; unreasonable demand of favorable treatment. He always shows positive behavior as a down to earth person. I already mentioned, how he stood with nation in rain. Which kind of treatments people think he took more than, others. His living was simple in politics tenure, refusal to protocols, less VIP treatment, never focused on personal benefit, humble background before politics, and no dynasty in politics.
F. Lack of empathy i.e no sense of anyone’s needs and feelings. This is the 2nd major sign of narcissistic personality. He launched social welfare programs like Ehsaas, Sehat cards for deserving people, free treatment, increased employment for poor people, produced laws for farmers which enhanced their earning, Namal college for underprivileged people, plant for Pakistan, PTI welfare, support for street children to give them access to education, and humanitarians assistance for disaster’s support.
G. Envious to someone or think others are envious towards them, politicians can be envious to someone, vice versa. However, Maryam Nawaz showed proper envious behavior for Imran khan and he responded. This criteria is undebatable.
H. Arrogant behaviors or attitudes; Imran Khan’s confidence and assertiveness can be seen as a strength, but also sometimes tip into arrogance, alienating those who disagree with him. While his commitment to welfare initiatives is admirable, his blunt speech can be off-putting to some. Overall, his leadership style is a mix of inspiring vision and polarizing stubbornness. This definitely for narcissistic personality, normal people are also mixtures and throw tantrums.
In conclusion, Imran Khan’s leadership style defies the characteristics of a narcissistic personality. Instead of seeking admiration and attention, he has prioritized the needs of others, particularly the marginalized and underprivileged. He may exhibit confidence and assertiveness. His willingness to listen and learn from experts and advisors demonstrates a humility and openness that is rare in political leaders. By focusing on building institutions and systems, rather than personal branding, Imran Khan has shown a commitment to the greater good that contradicts the self-aggrandizing tendencies of narcissistic personalities. Furthermore, his simple and unpretentious lifestyle, even as Prime Minister, suggests a leader who is grounded and uninterested in self-promotion, further distancing himself from the traits of a narcissistic personality.
As a clinical psychologist, I defend this article by emphasizing that labeling someone as narcissistic without evidence-based diagnosis and assessment is unethical and inaccurate. Imran Khan’s actions and behavior suggest a leader who is empathetic, humble, and committed to the greater good, rather than a narcissistic personality. It’s essential to approach such labels with caution and consider the potential harm they can cause to individuals and society.
