Sweeping legal reforms and regional conflict have consolidated the Pakistani military's grip on power in the past year, diluting the role of the civilian government while offering an unprecedented legal shield to the army chief, experts say.

Widely seen as Pakistan's most powerful institution, the military has governed the country for nearly half its existence via a series of coups since independence in 1947.

One of those military rulers, General Pervez Musharraf, was found guilty of treason while living in exile after an almost decade-long rule, which began in a 1999 coup.

But experts say a repeat of that scenario is increasingly unlikely.

Constitutional changes rushed through parliament in November gave sweeping new powers to top officials including the current army chief, Field Mars

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