ISLAMABAD, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A scorching heatwave in central parts of Pakistan has killed at least 51 people in the past week, with temperatures rising as high as 50 degrees Celsius, officials said on Friday.

    At least 19 people have died since Thursday in Pakistan centralprovince of Punjab, where authorities reported 31 deaths earlier this week, health officials said.

    Another person died in the largely desert, southwestern province of Baluchistan on Wednesday.

    Hundreds of people had also been admitted to hospitals after fainting due to heatstroke and gastroenteritis, officials said.

    Top meteorological department official Qamar Zaman said hot anddry weather was likely to continue in most parts of the country until May 18. Enditem