ZAMBIA and Malawi should immediately deal with drug and human trafficking which are threatening security in the two countries, Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Maxwell Nkole has said.

Mr Nkole said apart from the two vices, illegal migration and smuggling had also become a menace to the peaceful atmosphere in the two nations.

Session of Malawi/Zambia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) on Defence and Security.

Mr Nkole, who is Malawi/Zambia JPC chairperson, said delegates attending the four-day high level meeting should explore ways of cementing security to ensure peace continued to prevail.

"This is an important forum and we should ensure there is continued peace in the two countries," he said.

The meeting provides delegates with an opportunity to review progress made in promoting cooperation, finding ways of consolidating cooperation.

The meeting, Mr Nkole said, should be utilised as a key occasion for delegates to share ideas that would foster peace.

Earlier, the delegates held a moment of silence in honour of late Malawian President, Mbingu Wa Mutharika and Zambia's former Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Mundia Sikatana.

Several senior Malawian defence and security personnel are attending the meeting.

The Zambian participants include, Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Paul Mihova and Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani.

Others are senior officials from the Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service, Zambia Prisons Service and Zambia Security Intelligence