Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is once again in the spotlight but this time, not just for diplomacy. During her official three-day visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, sharp-eyed social media users noticed the stunning white luxury handbag resting by her side during a high-profile meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The bag has been identified as a Hermès Kelly Retourne 28 in White Clemence leather with Palladium Hardware, a rare and exclusive piece listed on Madison Avenue Couture for $25,500, which equals approximately Rs. 7 million in Pakistani rupees.
Maryam Nawaz arrived in Baku as the guest of honour of the Government of Azerbaijan for a three-day official visit, where she represented Pakistan at the World Urban Forum and addressed the World Leaders Summit at the Baku Olympic Stadium. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev on May 17, both sides discussed cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic, and defence fields, while highlighting the strong potential for further expanding trade ties.
However, it was the bag, not the bilateral talks, that dominated social media conversations back home.
This is not the first time Maryam’s luxury accessories have gone viral. During her Umrah pilgrimage in March 2025, she carried a Hermès Kelly Sellier 28, listed at over $20,000, more than Rs. 5 million, which had similarly sparked widespread debate across Pakistan.
Critics argue that such displays of wealth are inappropriate for a public official, highlighting the socio-economic gap between politicians and the public. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that personal fashion choices should not be subject to scrutiny.
