[5] Development and design of the Shaheen-II influenced from Pakistan's need for attaining surface-based second strike capability in a case of Pakistani military facing the Indian Army in an event of large-scale conventional war.

[8] Much of its engineering data, that is acceptable for public release, is provided by the Pakistani military and compiled by the American independent think tanks.

[11] The Shaheen II warhead may change its trajectory several times during re-entry and during the terminal phase, effectively preventing radar systems from pre-calculating intercept points.

[14][8] Pakistani government has always refuted the claims of Chinese assistance, stressing that the Shaheen-II was independently designed in 2000; and its series of expensive trial and errors culminated in final deployment in 2014 to keep the secrecy of the program through ingenious development.

: 241 [12] Further evidence provided through a press video shown by its designing contractor, NESCOM, at the IDEAS conference in 2004, the missile can achieve "surgical precision".