[3][4][5] BBC reported in 2010 that Pakistan is in the advance stages of developing MIRV technology with the help from the Chinese for its missiles.

[6] The National Interest called Ababeel "the Ultimate Nuclear Missile."

[5][8][9] Some sources suggest that Ababeel is a further development of the Shaheen-III airframe and solid-fuel motors, but with a payload fairing of enlarged diameter to accept the MIRV warhead.

[10] The first publicly announced test launch was conducted on 24 January 2017.

[1] On 18 October 2023, Pakistan announced it had conducted another test of the missile, referring to it as the "Ababeel Weapon System".